Mary A. (Blahunka) Lazar

Mary A. Lazar (Blahunka)

Age 95 of Joliet, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 20, 2023, shortly after celebrating her 95th birthday with family at Brookdale Hawthorn Lakes Assisted Living Facility in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

Born February 18, 1928 in Joliet, Mary was a daughter of Charles and Francis (Cabay) Blahunka. She was raised and educated in Joliet and graduated from Joliet Central High School with the class of 1945. On May 10, 1952, Mary married the love of her life, Mr. Peter Lazar, Sr., and together they made a home and raised their family. She was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rockdale. Mary worked for the City of Joliet’s Roadway Division as an Administrative Assistant and also served as an Executive Director for the Will County Building Commission. She was a member of KSKJ, the Slovak Catholic Sokol,  Joliet Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, and the Women’s Auxiliary Board for the VFW. She also volunteered her time at St. Joseph Hospital which she did well into her eighties. Mary loved spending time in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she could be found on the lake reeling in her latest catch. Mary loved fishing! She also enjoyed picnicking at South Wilmington Sportsmen’s Club with her family, attending Parish picnics and listening to her beloved polkas at St. Joes Park and playing cards with many of her dear friends.  In addition, Mary had the opportunity in October, 2017 to visit her relatives in Slovakia. Her most treasured times were always spent with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Mary is survived by her children: Peter (Kathleen) Lazar, Jr., Marilou Lazar Overton, James (Edie) Lazar and Gerald (Tina) Lazar; grandchildren: Michelle (Derek) Bowen, Peter (Stephanie) Lazar, III, Roseanne (Miles) Overton, George Overton, Helen “Nellie” Overton, Kelly (Jon) Happ, Katie (Ross) Doucette, Sydney Lazar (Kolton Keefover), and Nicolette Lazar; great-grandchildren: Evelyn, Preston j, Wesley, Brock, Diego, and Giovanni, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband: Peter Lazar, Sr. who passed in 2001; parents: Charles and Francis Blahunka; siblings: Joseph Blahunka, Frances Gabrys, and Charles Blahunka; great-granddaughter: Cecelia Ann; mother and father-in-law: Peter and Helen Lazar; brothers and sisters-in-law: Veronica Gerberi, Helen Gasparich, Anna Mae Thayer, Arthur Lazar, and Adam and Roseanne Lazar in infancy.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Monday, February 27, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. A celebration of Mary’s life will continue on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 with a visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of closing prayers beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. The funeral will then drive in procession to St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 505 Kingston Drive in Romeoville for a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow and Mary will be laid to rest at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Romeoville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made as gifts in Mary’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.