Maria C. Svihla, 88, of Oakbrook, IL passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 24, 2024. Preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Rose (DePetro) Svihla and her sister Gloria Svihla.

Maria graduated from Siena High School in Chicago. She left Chicago to join Daughters of Charity and served in St. Louis, Louisiana, and Michigan.

During this time, she also earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Marillac College in St Louis.  She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Sociology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mi.

Maria was a lifelong advocate for children.  In her roles at Marillac House and as the Executive Director of the Day Care Action Council of Illinois she fought tirelessly for safety regulations and improved conditions for both children and their families.

Maria’s passions included travel, art, history, genealogy, and all things related to Chicago. Her smile lit up the room and her laugh was contagious.

She delighted in time with her family and was a devoted and cherished cousin, niece, and friend to both her DePetro and Svihla families.

We celebrate Maria’s extraordinary life with a Funeral Mass at 10am on Friday, October 4^th at St. Scholastica Church, 7800 Janes Ave, Woodridge, IL.  Entombment at All Saints Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Daughters of Charity Providence of St. Louis or Alzheimers Association appreciated.