Loretta Malecki Nill

Loretta (Lori) Malecki Nill lovingly joined her husband John Sterry Nill in heaven on December 26, 2022. Lori was 91 years young and lived a full and long life. Lori was born on Christmas Eve 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest child of 11 children, to her parents Walenty Jan Malecki and Teresa Anna Baranowski. Lori attended Public and Parochial Schools growing up in Chicago. Lori married John Sterry Nill on Labor Day, 1953. She had five brothers that served during World War II, and her husband John, was a U.S. Marine.

From early childhood, Lori learned to play musical instruments. She played the Harp and Cello for most of her long life. Lori bred pedigreed, award winning Persian cats and shipped them all over the world.

Lori worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for several architecture firms in Austin and became a founding member of the Austin chapter of NAWIC (National Association of Women In Construction). She also helped her husband John grow his private architecture practice. While serving as the Austin NAWIC chapter’s President in 1965, the group conceived the idea of a Town Lake Gazebo and at Lori's urging, her husband John designed the “inverted morning glory” gazebo. Recently renovated, the Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo is still enjoyed by Austinites today.

Lori was the last of her generation of the Malecki family. Lori's parents, all 8 brothers, 2 sisters, and her husband John preceded her in death. Having no children of her own, she is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

John and Lori were active members of St. Theresa's Catholic Church. A Rosary service for Lori will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Celebration of Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 30, 2022 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive with Father Larry Covington celebrating. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, remembrance contributions to St. Theresa's Catholic Church or to a religious charity of your choice are requested.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78752, 512-454-5611.