Lillian LaPalio, 100, passed away peacefully Aug. 9, 2021, surrounded by her family at King-Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge.
From her birth in 1921 in Chicago to her death, she nourished people around her with love, friendship, inspiration, hospitality and joy. Her gifts of advocacy, service and inclusiveness were evident in her work with the Illinois Department on Aging, and the recent leadership roles she held, including coordinating the renovation of Berger Park in Chicago (which became affectionately known by the local children as "Grandma Lil's Park"), organizing Operation Warm Heart, a local knitting group that donated hundreds of knitted items each year to local groups and charities in the Hinsdale/Burr Ridge area, and her three terms as Resident Council president at KB House.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip; and her son, Salvatore, who died at age 33.
She is survived by her children, Charlotte (Stan) Kutin, Phillip Jr., Lawrence (Mary) and Steven (Marty); her 10 grandchildren; her 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A funeral Mass was said Aug. 16 at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Western Springs.
Interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to King-Bruwaert House, 6101 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge, IL 60527.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
