Dolores M. Crilly, 99

Birth: April 24, 1925

Death: February 5, 2025

Dolores M. Crilly (nee´ Horn), former resident of LaGrange and loving wife of the late Richard J Crilly, died peacefully on February 5, 2025 at the age of 99. Survived by Donna (Lawrence) Foody, Richard (Darlene) Crilly, Judith (Paul) Menne, Michael (Annette) Crilly, Mary Jo (Dennis) Conway, Timothy Crilly, Lori (Robert) Noonan, brother James (Gail) Horn, twenty grandchildren, 18 and growing great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by sisters Marlene (Richard) Janecek and Norma (Charles) Pelc.

Dolores was a trailblazing woman who excelled at academics and health sciences at a young age. Graduating from Morton High School, Berwyn, at the age of 16, she enrolled in nursing school at Oak Park Hospital where she was top in her class. She was given a scholarship to Loyola University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree, a rare achievement for women at the time. She declined the opportunity to attend medical school because she knew someday, she would want to start a family.

Upon graduation she worked at Oak Park Hospital where she would meet her husband Richard. After marrying, they moved to the Village of Lyons. They began their family in the St. Hughes Parish and in 1967, having outgrown their Lyons home, moved to nearby LaGrange where she resided until 2020.

She and her family were lifelong parishioners at St. Francis Xavier Parish in LaGrange. She was a supporter and long-time friend to the Sisters of St. Joseph religious order.

Dolores enjoyed a very active life at Ascension Living Bethlehem Woods Village across Ogden Avenue from her LaGrange home from 1999 to 2020. It was during this time she enthusiastically signed up to participate in the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Her longevity and high cognitive abilities until the end will undoubtedly provide researchers with insight and benefit to aging well for years to come.

In the end, Dolores’s dream of having a large and loving family was realized as she was surrounded by those closest as she spent her final days. She will be laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Cemetery next to her beloved husband, Richard.

Visitation will be held from 10am until time of Mass, 11am on Monday, 2/17 at St. Francis Xavier Church in LaGrange. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the congregation of St. Joseph in LaGrange Park or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside. 708-352-6500