Mary B. Lundell

Mary LaRocca Lundell (née Masco) late of Oak Lawn passed away on August 23, 2025 at the age of 104. Mary was born and raised in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood and the beloved daughter of the late Raymond and Laura Masco (née Rizzo), She was preceded in death by her three brothers the late John Masco (late,Dolores), the late Matthew Masco (Marianne) and the late Raymond Masco. She was the loving wife of the late Carmie LaRocca and the late Arthur Lundell and survived by her devoted daughter Karen (James) Meteer and loving son, Terrence (Carol) LaRocca. She leaves behind six grandchildren Gino Frigo (Kendra), Elizabeth Skweres (Michael), Alexander Frigo, Matthew LaRocca, Amy Czerniak (Bradley), and Sarah Waszak, (Brandon) and nine great grandchildren, Gabrielle Frigo, Michaela Skweres, Matthew Skweres, Angelo Frigo, Lauren Skweres, Kylie Frigo, Dominic Frigo, Victoria Czerniak and Jordyn Czerniak. Special thanks to Rose Marie LaRocca, Barbara Giron and John Corate for their dedicated weekly visits and to her devoted caregiver, Malgozata, for her exceptional care for over four years. Thank you also to the kind staff at Vitas Hospice.

Mary was known for her humor and joie de vivre, effortlessly making friends with everyone from her neighbors to her banker to her children’s neighbors. Always up for company and a glass of wine, she was the consummate hostess, serving her guests her famous biscotti or a Calabrese pizza better than what you find in restaurants. She was the idolized matriarch, singing the younger generations nursery rhymes in a Calabrian dialect, and known to all simply as “Nonna”. Homemade pasta and vino evenings became a weekly family tradition. Recently, after one of those evenings, she was asked if she had any regrets over the past 103 years. She sipped her wine, smiled, and confidently replied, “Not a single one.” She will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune to know and love her. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church, 10621 S. Kedvale Ave, Oak Lawn IL 60453 at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025.