Mary Virginia Nigro

Mary Virginia Nigro (nee McAuliffe)

August 9, 1941 - July 13, 2025

Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend; Mary Virginia Nigro (nee McAuliffe) died at peace on July 13, 2025, surrounded by family.

Raised in Oak Park, IL. Mary was the eldest of six. At the age of 10, Mary stepped up and readily wore the role of eldest sibling upon the untimely death of her mother. Mary proudly attended Trinity High School. Subsequently, she graduated from Rosary College in 1963. Upon graduation, dressed in cap and gown, Mary received her bachelor’s degree in one hand with the first of her five children cradled in her other arm.

Mary moved swiftly and seamlessly into motherhood which she always pronounced as the dream she had held since childhood. In fact, she designed a mold of motherhood such that those who count her as an honorary mother are too many to name.

While one would imagine that raising five children may be enough work to last decades, Mary did not stop pursuing her own professional endeavors. She spent time working in various locally owned businesses all centered in neighboring Glen Ellyn. Upon noticing a niche that was not being met for her own daughters, she built and co-owned, the Clothes Horse, a clothing store for preteen girls. When that adventure concluded, Mary then moved on to earn her real estate agent license and worked for Baird & Warner. She rounded out her working life with another co-owned business, designing and constructing custom window treatments. All the while raising her five children.

Mary filled her life with travel. She travelled throughout Europe across many years. She travelled with both family and friends and loved to explore the places that brought the history alive that she had read about so voraciously across her lifetime. Until her very last days, Mary’s world was filled with books. Her appetite for reading was insatiable.

At the center of Mary’s life was her extensive family. That into which she was born, that into which she married, that which she built for herself with her husband and five children, and that which grew around her as she welcomed any and all who knocked on the door. Her reputation to make a home aesthetically beautiful and rich in hospitality always preceded her. She centered and tethered all whose lives intersected with hers, and beautifully fulfilled her life’s contract.

All who know Mary,

all who found themselves in her orbit,

found a landing pad (figuratively and literally) at least once,

and more likely a multitude of times,

from which they could leave

with renewed sustenance and a greater sense of belonging.

Whether it was from Mary’s haven at Mayo or Frazier Ct in Wheaton, Williams Bay in Lake Geneva,

or Fox Run in Geneva

we landed and we were welcomed.

Mary will be dearly missed and her legacy will live on in the lives of all who knew her.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother Margaret (nee Gallagher) and father, Edward McAuliffe; her husband, Dr. Joseph Nigro, her parents in law, Liggia (nee Fortunato) and Dr. Dominic Nigro; her sister, Deborah

(nee McAuliffe) Keenan and her sisters-in-law Antoneea (nee Nigro) Casey and Marguerite (nee Rivelli) Nigro.

She is survived by her devoted and loving children Dominic Nigro, Gina (Rich) Steinbrecher, Dominique (Hassan) Rquibi, Desiree (Bob) Zola, Meg (Acie) Boyd. She is the beloved Nonnie of Davis (Kate) Steinbrecher, Gianna (Felix) Zola, Josephine (James) Kubik, Leila Rquibi, Francesca Zola, Julian Steinbrecher, Nabil Rquibi, Jay Nigro and Maya Boyd. She is the cherished sister of Ed (Patty) McAuliffe, Kathy McAuliffe, Jane Viste, and Bill McAuliffe. She is the dear sister -in -law to Bill Keenan, Dominic Nigro, and John Casey. She is the beloved aunt of many nieces and nephews.

If you are so inclined, please consider sharing a word about Mary on this form. One word is enough.

Visitation and funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel on the Wheaton Franciscan/Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital campus in Wheaton on Friday, July 25, 2025. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Funeral mass will follow immediately at 11:15 am. Funeral services will conclude at the end of mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations to ACLU by using this link and People’s Resource Center of Wheaton will be accepted on behalf of Mary Nigro.