It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Therese Marie Loftus, beloved daughter, sister and aunt on June 15, 2021. Known to many who loved her simply as "T", Therese was a late Christmas present, born on December 27, 1958.
Therese was a natural as an older sister - she was looking out for her siblings at a young age. She continued to do so her entire life.
Therese quietly carved her own path, but always keeping her Catholic faith and her family as the two primary anchors of her life. She loved the holidays of all stripes, typically celebrated with an astonishing variety of holiday sweaters. She was especially in her element on St. Patrick's Day, decked out in all shades of green and flashing truly joyful smiles in the countless photos. T enjoyed a good glass of wine, a good meal and travel, both locally and internationally. Her trip to Ireland was one of the highlights of her life.
The focal point of T's life was her family. If there was a family event, T was a central part of it. She loved hearing the stories, telling a few of her own and joining in the laughter that always followed. Even in the final weeks of her life, wracked by pain, she insisted on seeing graduation and prom photos of her nieces and nephews. She dutifully prayed for good weather so those same nieces and nephews could accept their diplomas in bright sunshine and dance under cloudless moonlit nights.
Therese worked for over twenty years as the Development Coordinator at Misericordia, an iconic Chicago organization that works to improve the lives of the developmentally disabled. It was a perfect fit.
T was especially devoted to our mother. She would call mom every day to check in. And T would show up unannounced for coffee or shopping on the weekends. T never gave those calls or visits much thought as they came so naturally. To our elderly mother they meant the world.
Therese was intensely private and insisted the details of her grueling battle with ovarian cancer not extend beyond her immediate family. She was remarkably brave throughout and simply refused to feel sorry for herself.
Therese was preceded in death by our father, Thomas. She is survived by our mother Arlene Loftus; her siblings Thomas (Kathy) Loftus; Mark (Bianca) Loftus; Patrick (Cecilia) Loftus; Timothy (Lingyan) Loftus; Brigida (Kevin) Kessler; Mary Loftus; Julie (David) Bedore; and14 nieces and nephews. And by her cat Riley who was dutifully by her side through her struggles.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 22, 2021 from 9 am to 10:30 am at Drechsler Brown & Williams, 203 S. Marion, Oak Park, Illinois. The funeral mass will follow at 11 am at St. Luke Church, 7600 West Lake Street, River Forest, Illinois.
Donations can be made to Misericordia, 6300 N. Ridge, Chicago, Illinois 60660.
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Previous Events
Visitation
22
Jun
203 South Marion Street
Oak Park, IL 60302
Funeral Mass
22
Jun
7600 Lake St.
River Forest, IL 60305
Cemetery Details
Location
700 North River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016