Loretta I. McNerney-Molokie

Loretta I. McNerney-Molokie entered eternal life on March 23, 2024, eighteen days after celebrating her 97th birthday. She lived a joyful life with family and friends.

Loretta was born on March 5, 1927 to George and Isabel (Casey) Wray. She was the oldest of five children, survived by her brother Paul (Patsy) and preceded in death by her brothers Donald (Audrey) and George (Joan), and her sister Rita (Tom). She was raised on Chicago’s northwest side and, after completing her education, became a registered nurse attending to patients at Oak Park Hospital.

In 1942, Loretta met Joseph James McNerney, Jr. (Jim) on a blind date arranged by Jim’s sister Marguerite. After celebrating the holy Sacrament of Marriage, Loretta and Jim set forth on the journey of a lifetime. God blessed them with seven children, Katherine (Robert), Joseph (Mary), James (Nancy), Patrick (Kelly), Mary (Brian), Maureen (Christopher), and Michael, 21 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren (two of whom are still awaiting their formal introduction to this world).

After 47 years of marriage and Jim’s untimely death in 1996, Loretta met Richard J. Molokie who was widowed in 1995 after 43 years of marriage to Dorothy Louise. Loretta and Richard were later married and remained inseparable for 27 years until her passing, having lived most of those years as residents of Lake Forest’s Conway Farms community. Instinctively, Loretta became a motherly figure to Richard’s children, Fr. Jerome, O.Praem., Joseph (Molly), and Elizabeth (Daniel), as well as a grandmother and great-grandmother to their children.

Loretta was also a cherished aunt and great-aunt to many nieces and nephews. She enjoyed attending family gatherings, remained in close contact with her loved ones, and believed that her family was life’s greatest gift.

Loretta and Richard were proud members of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lake Forest and spent many evenings with friends and family at their favorite local dining venues. In 2019, they moved to the Sheridan at Green Oaks in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

A visitation honoring Loretta’s life will occur at St. Patrick Catholic Church (928 W Everett Rd, Lake Forest, IL) on Friday, April 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, Loretta’s family asks that you make someone feel loved by doing a random act of kindness in her honor.

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