LILY PAGRATIS VENSON

Lily Pagratis Venson, 86, passed away on Monday after a brief illness. She was born to the late Rose Desila, and Peter Pagratis, and was a resident of Chicago her entire life. She was an award-winning journalist, and feature writer for Lerner Newspapers, from 1963 to 1973. She was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for more than 100 articles over eight years, on a successful community crusade to preserve 100 acres of private golf land, to establish Warren Park in West Rogers Park in Chicago. She was awarded a plaque for excellence in reporting on this crusade from Governor Richard Ogilvie. Lily served as Public Information Officer for Cook County Hospital, and Public Information Officer for the Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services from 1973 to 1991, during which time she received awards for magazine articles from the Illinois Press Women's Association, and the National Federation of Press Women. Lily loved travel, literature and writing, her many friends, and her family. Wife of the late George J. Venson; she is survived by her daughter Virginia Venson (Paul) Greninger; son Perry (Jessica); brother Peter S. Pagratis; loving grandchildren Alethea, and George; and nieces, and nephews Dr. John Nicholas Venson, Michael Venson, John Peter Venson, and Karen Venson. Visitation Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago. Family and friends will meet Saturday morning, at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660, for funeral service at 10 a.m. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to St. Andrew Church or the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60601. Arrangements by JOHN G. ADINAMIS FUNERAL DIRECTOR, LTD. 773-736-3833.