Mary Bernardi Ritacca

Mary Ritacca was born
May 3, 1931 - in Modena Italy
and passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at the age of 94 on November 21, 2025.
A devoted mother whose warmth and love touched countless lives, Mary found joy in reading, knitting, speaking Italian, and traveling to Italy to visit dear friends, and listening to the soaring voice of Luciano Pavarotti. She spent years cooking homemade recipes and hand rolled pastas which were cherished and beloved by family, friends, and neighbors.
She taught her children to love God,respect life, care for the elderly, and took immense pride in her greatest accomplishment: raising "one doctor and one lawyer." Her generous heart led her to passionately support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Mary is survived by her two sons, Bob(Janet) and Dan, five grandchildren, Robert, Sara, Courtney, Robert and Maria and four great-grandchildren, Madison, Ethan, Enzo, and Lainey.
She will be remembered as an extrovert, for the radiant joy and unconditional love she shared with everyone she met.
A celebration of Mary's life will be held at the old St. Patrick's Church on Waukegan Road in Lake Forest, Illinois on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a gathering at a restaurant for family and friends 11:30 to 2:00 in Highland Park.