Mary Sophie Raftery (nee Kozuch), age 90; beloved wife of the late John Raftery for 58 wonderful years; loving Mother of Kevin (Sandy) Raftery, Anne (Keith) Rainer, Maureen (Don) Vear, William (Elizabeth) Raftery, and Thomas (Lucy) Raftery; dear grandmother of Jacklynn (Paul) Eberly, Cory (Meg Hofer) Betzel, Meghan (Adam) Brescia, Matthew Vear, Margaret Vear, Sean Raftery, Sophie Raftery, and Molly Raftery; fond great-grandmother of Charlotte, Preston, Vivian, Peyton, Paris, and Piper; Mary is also survived by her grand-dogs, Lexi and Cody. Mary was the cherished daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine Kozuch, natives of Warsaw, Poland; identical twin sister to Patricia, and ever-loving sibling of Joanna and Robert.

Mary spent her young adult life on the south side of Chicago, IL. She loved to read, and was a top student in all ways, including math and the sciences, as well as the arts like poetry and dancing. Mary was also a fierce athletic competitor; in sports she enjoyed tennis, swimming, and softball – Mary was an absolute anchor at 3^rd base, as she loved to share. Mary met John, the true love of her life, in the late 1950’s. They were wedded on April 23, 1960. The newlyweds purchased a home in one of Chicago’s western suburbs , La Grange Park, where – beginning in 1962- they would raise five children and three dogs, and host a countless number of family friends, including friends of their children who often bragged about how warmly Mrs. Raftery hosted them.

Mary loved to travel. This was undoubtedly a strong connection between her and John. Be it a local road trip, or flight across “the pond”, Mary was up for it whether it was for work or pleasure. When John launched an Irish import business called A Touch of Ireland, Mary was quick to embrace it and support the endeavor with all she could, which in turn supported the growth of the family – to this day, well beyond just Raftery’s. Mary’s Catholic faith was and will remain strong; she will always stand with conviction. Mary survived countless injuries, illnesses, and every challenge that an abundance of children and grandchildren could possibly create for her. Even in the afterlife, she is a survivor. Mary is a role model in strength, integrity, compassion, discipline, and predominantly – love.

Visitation Monday, May 13 from 9:30am until time of Funeral Mass, 10:30am at St. Francis Xavier Church, 124 N. Spring Ave., La Grange. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at Church. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery will take place privately. Memorial donations may be given to National Breast Cancer Foundation (www.nationalbreastcancer.org). Additional Info, please call: 708-652-6500.