Mary Ann Infelise

Mary Ann was born on June 13th 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Carmella Salamone and to the late Martin O'Leary. Her early life was unstable, to say the least, as both of her parents passed away by the time she was eight. She was then passed around for a few years, living with various aunts and uncles until she went to live with her aunt and uncle, Phyillis and Sam Blasco. She eventually would refer to them as mom and dad. In 1958 she met the love of her life, Michael Infelise (deceased).

Mary Ann graduated in 1959 from Oak Park River Forest High School. At age 19, she was married to Michael and soon after had their first-born child. By the time she was 21 she had 3 babies under the age of 3. In 1970, she would give birth to her fourth and final child. She would go on living the next several decades raising and devoting herself to her family.

Although she had a difficult childhood, Mary Ann made the most out of what was given to her and she carried that quality throughout her life. It helped her endure and overcome her adversities in life with strength and grace. At barely 5 foot tall and needing rocks in her pockets to weigh her down, she was one of the strongest people I have known. True to her character, Mary Ann always had a way of making Limoncello out of the lemons life occasionally tossed her way.

Mary Ann's family was everything to her. To call her a doting wife and mother would be a great understatement. She went to great lengths for her family, sacrificing her well being for theirs.

Thats what she always did. I would jokingly often call her "smother", and she would laugh with pride. She had a great sense of humor as well, often laughing at herself over something silly she had done. She was a lot fun to be around.

Mary Ann was always fashionable. There are iconic pictures of her on a family fishing trip to Wisconsin in go-go boots, a mini skirt and a beehive hairdo that would make Marge Simpson jealous. She loved that outfit and she wore it well.

Mary Ann had an active social life. It was important to her to be a good friend, as she had many friendships that lasted over well 50 years. She was in a bowling league for years; she was a volunteer lunch lady and she was in a macrame group as well as getting together and cooking for friends on a regular basis. She loved to be around people that she loved.

She was never afraid to try anything new or adventurous. She has been on the back of motorcycles, in hot air balloons, on a mountainside at 11,000 feet and she has been all over the country seeing things she has never seen before. She lived her life to her fullest extent.

Mary Ann will forever be remembered as a compassionate and loving person who was a great friend, and an exemplary mother and grandmother. She was a person that would help those in need and would put aside her life to make others more comfortable.

I can still picture us as kids, all gathering around the dinner table while mom was making sure everyone had everything they needed before she even sat down. We were privileged to have her in our life and to love her and for her to love us back. She was so much fun. She was love. She will be missed dearly.

Mary Ann is survived by her ever expanding family. Her loving children: Mickey (Cindy) Infelise, Tony (Nancy) Infelise, Lisa (Jeff) Geib and Frank (Jessica) Infelise.

Her grandchildren: Danielle, Michael, Tony, Patrick, Joey, Julie, Jeana, Marisa and Jack.

Her great grandchildren: Sophia, Alilah, Dante, Isabella, Christopher, Dominic, Rocco, Maveryk, Benjamin, Amelia and Jimmy.

In true Mary Ann form, she did not want any services. A celebration of life will be announced to family and friends in the near future.

Mary Ann was also a generous donor to several charities including St Jude Children’s Hospital and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The family is asking in lieu of flowers please give to one of these charities in Mary Ann's name.