Mary Kay Strasser

Age 69 and a resident of Trinity Services of Braidwood and formerly Wilmington, Illinois died peacefully on Wednesday evening, August 24, 2022 at Heritage Health in Dwight, Illinois.

Born January 12, 1953 in Chicago, Mary Katherine was a daughter of Leo J. and Mary C. (Thompson) Strasser. She was raised and lived in Chicago for over half of her life, and her physical disabilities never harbored the gifts she possessed and shared from within. An aggressive advocate for disability rights, Mary Kay’s efforts were the foundation of some of today’s norms. She was an accomplished painter and poet who loved music and was unwavering in her faith. It was in 1993 that Mary Kay moved to a Trinity Home in Wilmington, where she soon gained a new family. It was here that she became a loving and even sometimes feisty member of a wonderful community. She founded the Trinity Services Annual Talent Show, which she scheduled, coordinated and directed, not to forget ended each event in song, singing: “I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together”. In addition, Mary Kay was a devoted and faithful member of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima. She truly cherished family and dearly loved her family, both biological and Trinity, as well as her God children and Spiritual God children.

Mary Kay was the beloved daughter of Leo and Mary Strasser; cherished granddaughter of Robert and Kathleen “Kit” Thompson; loving sister of Margaret Hillyard and the late Thomas Eugene; fond niece of numerous aunts and uncles; cousin to many, including her special cousin, Kathleen Hanna; devoted God mother to William Donohue and Robert Bulanda, Jr. and Spiritual God mother to Joseph, the late Monica, Lillian, Matthew, Patrick, Brendan and George Donohue. Mary Kay was also a loving and faithful friend to all who knew her, especially her Trinity Services family.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at St. Walter Catholic Church, 11722 South Oakley Avenue in Chicago on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Jim Mezydlo and assisted by Deacon James Maslanka. Music will be shared by Phil Caffee and the Mass will be served by her spiritual God children, Matthew Donohue and Patrick Donohue.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the services, and she will be laid to rest in Holy Sepluchre Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.

Preferred memorial in lieu of flowers may be made to Trinity Services, Inc. South, 1197 S. Buchanan Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or to EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, Alabama 35210.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Mary Kay’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington, Illinois. (815-476-2181)