Louise Adelyn Dado

Louise "Lisa" Adelyn Dado passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025, at the age of 95. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 2, 1930, to Italian immigrants Amelia and Augusto Coppolillo, Lisa lived a life defined by elegance, fierce independence, and unwavering devotion to family. Lisa was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Peter Dado-our cherished "Tata"-with whom she shared nearly 71 years of marriage. Together, they built a life rooted in love, learning, and service. Lisa was a proud and devoted mother to three daughters: Dr. Lisa Dado, Dr. Gina Dado, and Cristi Soiya, M.A. She championed their achievements with unshakable pride-her joy evident in everything from her storytelling to the personalized license plate on her car: "DocsMom." To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was "Nana"-a name that perfectly captured her warmth, flair, and vibrant spirit. Larger than life, sassy, and full of charm, Lisa lit up every room she entered. She moved through her entire life with a youthful and adventurous spirit-edgy, spicy, and unafraid to catch people off guard with her sharp wit and humor. Her laughter was contagious, her timing impeccable, and her style uniquely her own. Lisa cherished being outside. She found peace and joy in nature, especially during long walks through Fullersburg Woods, a forest preserve near her home in Oak Brook, Illinois. She also treasured her time on Mauna Kea Beach in Hawaii, where the rhythm of the ocean seemed to match her own soulful, reflective pace. These walks-whether beneath the canopy of Midwestern trees or along the golden sands of the Pacific-were moments of quiet beauty and grounding in her rich and colorful life. She found beauty in the arts, fine food, and joyful travel-from the Sistine Chapel and Monet's Garden in Giverny to pre-Castro Cuba, which she visited with her beloved sister Kaye. Lisa was the second born of five siblings. She was predeceased by Kaye, Mike, and Janice, and is survived by her sister Mary, who resides in New Mexico with her daughter, Carrie. Though she knew the sting of loss and the weight of hardship, Lisa lived with resilience and grace. She proudly maintained her independence throughout her life-never returning home after marriage, learning to drive in her 40s (her "freedom machine" was a gold Chevy Nova), and traveling with her newborn daughter, Cristi, from Germany to Chicago. She adored her grandchildren-Bonnie Mangold, Paul Soiya II, Christopher Soiya, Molly Elliott, Michael G. Foley, Haley Dudek, and Sydney Dudek-and found new delight in becoming "Great," a great-grandmother to Bardele, Westin, Daniel, and Noah. Her legacy of love, laughter, and fierce maternal pride lives on through them. A Funeral Mass to honor Lisa's life will be held at: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church Scottsdale, Arizona Friday, June 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. All who knew and loved Lisa are warmly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to one of her cherished causes: • The Center for Humane Living (CenterforHumaneLiving.com) • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (StJude.org) • The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) (ASPCA.org) Lisa Dado lived fully, loved deeply, and leaves behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of her family and friends. As Margaret Mead so beautifully wrote: "Remember me in your heart; Your thoughts, your memories... For if you always think of me, I will never have gone." Rest in peace, Nana. Mommy. You will be missed-and always loved.