Mary Dettlo

Tribute

There are some people in this world whose talents, visions, love, care, generosity, and kindness shape you so deeply that you carry it in everything you do. For us, that person is our Mom. Mom’s presence was strength in all forms, she didn't think she deserved recognition, but she deserved all of it! Through every challenge (including 3 bouts of cancer-1970, 2018, 2026), every long day, and every moment when life just sucked! she stood steady and brave. Not because it was easy, because her love for us, her trust in The Lord, and her convictions were everything to her. Our mother taught us what love, kindness, generosity, compassion, forgiveness, and grace look like in action. It’s in the way she smiled, laughed, cried, gave, hugged, and fed; and the way she always put others before herself (which I despised because i wanted her to put herself first) Her generosity continued, even at the end of her life, by donating her body for education and possible cures to help others. Wow! She is our first home, our safest place, and our greatest love and teacher. Everything I am, and everything I hope to be, carries her within me forever! She spent her high school years in a convent-House of Good Sheperd in Chicago. She loved and trusted Jesus to protect and love this big, beautiful family, and he has always answered her prayers. The Lord was with our mother till he took her home. He did not let her suffer. No words can fully capture what she truly means to me and everyone in this family. But if I could give her anything, it would be this: Her knowing that her love made a difference. That her sacrifices mattered. That she is deeply appreciated, endlessly loved, and forever my greatest inspiration. We all have a piece of her art that she made independent for each of us. Mom, thank you for everything you’ve given, everything you are, and everything you continue to be to us all. This is just a small reflection of a love that has no end. You are truly an Angel on this planet we are forever grateful. My Mom was the bravest, most courageous, trustworthy, faithful, beautiful woman I have ever known. Thank you-I love you!

Friends & Family

Children-Joseph and Dora, Bill and Janet, Susan, Frank, Joe and Amy. Grand children- Maxwell, Sampson, Sugar, Ziva, Justin and Riki, Dylan and Shelby, Melinda and Robert, Joseph and Kathy, Michael and Amber, Tim and Marleigh, Sarah and Stevie, Sadie, Cody and Alexis, Logan. Great Grandbabies- Onyx, Giovani, Xander, Adler, Garhett, Emrik, Bohdan, Braxton, Maxwell, Rudy, Charlotte, Lasten, Noah, Dallas, Khalil, Adrienne, Khloe. Friends-Lorraine Close family-Pat (she loves you so much), Joe, Lody, Mickey. Her greatest inspiration and first real love- Great Grandmother Fisher. Love of her life- Father of her children- Henry.