Mary Lou Briick

1929 - 2025

Mary Lou Briick
Born: May 14, 1929 in Joliet, IL
Died: September 5, 2025 in Hinsdale, IL
Mary Lou Briick, 96, died peacefully on Sept. 5, 2025, at the King-Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge. Mary Lou had been a Hinsdale resident for over sixty years.
Born in 1929 in Joliet, IL, Mary Lou was one of five children of John and Antoinette Culik. While growing up in Joliet she waitressed at the locally-renowned Stefanich's Restaurant owned and operated by her mother's family. It was there she met Herbert Briick-another Joliet resident-following his return from service in the U.S. Navy in World War II. The couple married in August 1950 and immediately departed for Washington, D.C., where Herb was entering his final year at Georgetown University. It was there Mary Lou first displayed the devotion she attached to her family that would be the hallmark of her life when she turned down a promotion with Scientific American Magazine in order to be able to spend full time raising the first of her three children. Upon graduation, Herb joined the FBI and the growing family began a series of moves that took Mary Lou to Baltimore, Boston, back to Washington, D.C., and finally to Chicago in 1962, when she set up home on South Quincy St. in Hinsdale.
Mary Lou was a person with a noteworthy range of interests, including flying, gardening, cooking, reading, the stock market, and Notre Dame football. She took (illegally) flying lessons while in high school, and soloed at the age of 16-an accomplishment that remained a source of amazement to her family, who were well-acquainted with her sense of terror in driving anywhere outside the Hinsdale/LaGrange area. She was an avid gardener, whose love of growing things was a gift she gave to her children. Even in her closing years she enjoyed viewing from her wheelchair the latest blooms in her garden. Mary Lou was also a remarkable cook whose meals were always special, not only on the holidays but every day of the week as well. Throughout her life she had a love of reading-another gift she passed on to her children-and their visits with her to the Hinsdale Library will always remain a fond memory. She herself inherited from her business-inclined family an astute appreciation of financial management, and she followed the investment market with great interest throughout her life. And after one of her sons was on the team, she became a fervent fan of Notre Dame football for the next fifty years. But above all, her abiding love and support for her family is the memory of Mary Lou that will be most cherished by her children.
A special experience in Mary Lou's life was serving as an assistant to the Dean of Students at LaGrange Township High School North for almost 23 years from 1971 to 1994. She loved the students and her colleagues, and she made many friendships there that were a source of great happiness to her.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband Herb to whom she was married for more than 65 years, her brothers John and Donald Culik, and her sister Anna Mae Homich. She is survived by her sister Nancy Kostyk, her sons Herbert and John, her daughter Laura (John) Farrell, her granddaughter Kari Jager (John Carter) and great-grandson Wesley Carter.
The family would like to express a special thanks to the staff of the King-Bruwaert House, whose warm and compassionate care made the last years of Mary Lou's life a happy and peaceful experience that will always be remembered.
Mary Lou donated her body to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. Her internment, when held, will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the King-Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge.