Margaret J. Lori

Margaret Lori, mother of Archbishop William E. Lori and Joseph P. Lori, died on September 3, 2023, at Charleston Place nursing home in New Albany. She was 103 years old. Margaret (née Caradonna) married Francis Lori when he returned from serving in the U.S. Navy ship during World War II. The couple celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in January 2020. Mr. Lori died a month later. Above all, Margaret was a woman of deep faith. Archbishop Lori commented, “At an early age, I knew how seriously Mom and Dad took their faith. The Rosary was very much a part of our life, as was Sunday Mass. When Mom and Dad could, they were daily communicants.” The love which Margaret shared with her husband and sons overflowed beyond the home. In a homily in January 2020 for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and also to mark his mother’s 100th birthday and his parents’ wedding anniversary, Archbishop Lori said, “Your life and your marriage are a great blessing, certainly to us, your sons, whom you continue to love as only good parents can do, and indeed to all of us – because, in one way or another, we’ve been touched by your example of strong faith and enduring love…You have worked hard, and you have faced challenges and hardships, but in the midst of it all, your love for each other and for us has only grown stronger,” the archbishop said. “I think of the loving care you gave to your eldest son, my brother Frankie; your ministry of visiting nursing homes, bringing the Eucharist and a word of cheer; your practice of praying the rosary every day; Sunday Mass without fail and daily Mass whenever possible; and the encouragement and love you continue to give your family and many others.” Mr. and Mrs. Lori were members of what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.” After coming back from the war, Frank married Margaret at ages 26 and 27, respectively—and at the time, that was considered “old.” The archbishop recalled, “We were not a wealthy family. We were a hard-working family, and they provided a beautiful, faith-filled home … My older brother Frankie had special needs. I saw Mom and Dad not just go the extra mile, but go the extra five miles, and they loved my brother until he died several years ago with a tender love. He added, “My parents provided a good, beautiful, secure home for me and my brother, Joe, and they constantly encouraged us. Wherever we were and whatever we were doing, both Joe and I knew that our parents loved us.” Archbishop Lori also recalled that nine cardinals attended his installation as Archbishop of Baltimore in 2012. As they departed from the sanctuary, each one of them stopped and gave his mom a kiss. At dinner that evening Margaret commented, “I never dreamt I’d be kissed by so many cardinals!” A visitation for Margaret will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana. A funeral mass will take place on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Of Padua Catholic Church, 316 N. Sherwood Ave, Clarksville, Indiana, with burial to follow in Kraft Graceland Memorial Park. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kraftfs.com for the Lori family.