Elizabeth "Betty" Lavazza
March 17, 1928 — February 21, 2015
Elizabeth "Betty" Lavazza (Snider-McDonald), age 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2015 with her loving family by her side.
Elizabeth is survived by her three sons, Raymond (the late Linda), Ronald (Annie) and Richard (Lena) Lavazza; four daughters, Karen (Robert Quinlan) Lavazza, Cynthia (Daniel) Muir, Mary (the late Peter) Pierce, and Elizabeth (Obediah) Elliott; a foster child, Robert Tidwell; 25 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one brother, Thomas McDonald. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Preceded in death by her husband, Julie Robert Lavazza; parents, Thomas and Louise McDonald; one daughter, Donna Wood; one grandson, Joshua Lavazza; one great-grandson, Raymond Lavazza; and one brother, Edward Snider.
Betty was born and raised in Joliet, IL. She married, Julie Lavazza on February 19, 1949. Betty was a devout Catholic, a member of the Cathedral of St. Raymond for 50 years and a member of Christian Family Movement. She had a P.H.D. in Special Education, taught at Wilmington High School and retired from WILCO Special Education Co-op. Betty's passions included art, music and education. She loved to travel and opened her heart to everyone. Betty was actively involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to Vitas Hospice for the wonderful comfort provided to Betty.
A celebration of Elizabeth's life will begin on Thursday, February 26, 2015 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:20 a.m. then driving in procession to the Church of St. Anthony in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet, IL from 2-8 p.m.