Virginia Fritz

Virginia Marie (O'Connor) Fritz, 78, passed away peacefully Thursday (Aug. 3, 2023), after a long battle with dementia.

She was born in Kankakee, the daughter of Donald O'Connor and Mary Anne (Sullivan) O'Connor.

Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonel Carl Fritz; son, Michael Anthony Fritz; her parents; and her brother, Donald O'Connor.

She will be greatly missed by her sons, Carl (Heidi) Fritz, of Denver, Colo., Tim (Gina) Fritz, of West Chicago, and Matt (Traci) Fritz, of Coal City. She was a cherished sister to Donald (Theresa) O'Connor, Maureen (Thomas L.) O'Connor, Thomas R. O'Connor, David (Martha) O'Connor, Patrick (Rose) O'Connor, Eugene O'Connor and Kathleen O'Connor; beloved sister-in-law to A. Joseph (Carol) Fritz, John (Gloria) Fritz, Leon (Teresa) Fritz, Donna (Gerald) Bernicky and Robert Fritz; and wonderful grandmother to Colin, Samuel, Molly, Eli, Amelia, Wyatt, Theo and Henry.

Virginia will fondly be remembered by friends, family and all who encountered her quick wit and frequent laughter.

She spent her early years shooting hoops and playing with her seven siblings on her parents' farm in Irwin.

Virginia and Leonel began dating after they met on the bus to their respective high schools of St. Joseph Seminary and St. Patrick's Central. Virginia and Leonel's love was evidenced by the stacks of love letters left behind from a long-distance relationship due to Leonel's time in the U.S. Air Force as well as their nearly 45-year marriage.

Virginia spent many busy years raising her four sons, first in Mokena and then in St. Charles. She spent Sundays, first Saturdays and holy days attending Mass at St. John Neumann Church where she and Leonel were one of its founding families.

She was frequently seen with her son, Mikey, and Leonel by her side. Virginia was a devout Catholic with an especially close relationship to the Virgin Mary.

She was passionate in her commitment to Pro-Life work and led the Sorrowful Mother Novena each month at St. John Neumann's. Also, one of her later joys in life was singing with the local acapella group, Sweet Adelines, as an alto. Virginia loved and was committed to her family and to God. Her family finds comfort in the image of Mikey walking to welcome her into heaven and Leonel ready with a hug.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, until the 11 a.m. funeral Mass, both at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church, 4372 Main St., Irwin. A recitation of the Rosary will be at 9 a.m. Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Ron Neitzke. Interment will follow in St. James Cemetery, Irwin.

Memorials may be made to The Marklund Fund, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, IL 60134. The Marklund Annual Fund supports the mission of making everyday life possible for individuals with profound disabilities. They compassionately cared for her son, Mike, when it was needed.

Funeral arrangements are by Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes.

Please sign her online guestbook at clancygernon.com.