Darlene Mayszak Obituary

Darlene D. Mayszak

Darlene D. Mayszak, nee Lushina, age 87, of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

Beloved wife of the late Donald E; loving mother of Mark (Andrea) Mayszak, Michael (Nancy) Mayszak, Michele (John) Hannon, Mary (Ed) Malito and Donald J. Mayszak; dear daughter of the late Anna, nee Kolish, and the late Rudolph Lushina; dear grandmother of Alex, Liv, Rachel, Andrew, Joshua, Molly (Tom), Michael (Micah), Patrick (Alison), Christopher, Kelly (Michael), Mike (Ellie), Sam and Jaxon; devoted great grandmother of Noah, Luke, Ellie, Elaine, Michael, Parker, Vivianne, and Penelope; fond sister of Joseph (Gina) Lushina, Janice (Bill) Pleskovitch, and the late Kit (Barbara) Lushina; aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Darlene was born August 7th, 1937 to Rudolf and Anne Mae Lushina in LaSalle Illinois. She was a second mother to her three younger siblings as her parents ran a small grocery store. Growing up she loved summer girl scout camps, playing clarinet, and was proud to be in the National Honor Society. She inherited her mother’s green thumb for gardening and her father’s interest in news and world events. She dated her future husband Don in high school and after becoming a registered nurse, they married and resided in Peoria. They relocated to Villa Park in 1964, living in the same home for 60 years. The household was filled with evening sports and music practices, home baked treats, the sounds of WGN radio and afternoon Cubs games. After their fifth child, Don started an engineering design company and Darlene worked nights at Elmhurst Hospital part-time to backstop family finances. Later she worked full-time days in maternity, caring for new mothers which gave her a sense of purpose, confidence, and accomplishment. She helped deliver one of her grandchildren, making the headline in the hospital newsletter. And Darlene was proud that her five children graduated college in her own, no-nonsense style. Retiring allowed more time for her grandchildren, who remember many holiday celebrations with her great cooking, laughs, hugs, and Beanie Baby grab bags. She will be remembered as a kind women who cared for so many and a devoted matriarch of a large, wonderful family.

In-State Tuesday, July 1st, 11:00 AM until time of Mass at 12:15 PM, at St. Alexander Catholic Church, 300 S Cornell, Villa Park, Illinois. Interment Private. Memorials to your favorite charity organization in her honor are appreciated. Funeral info: steuerlefh.com or (630) 832-4161.