Lucille Jeanette Caraghar, age 96, passed away at Victorian Village in Homer Glen on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. She was born on August 18, 1924, in Oak Park, the daughter of William Raffen Burgess and Clara (Finnegan) Burgess. She had a wonderful childhood growing up in Glen Ellyn and graduated from Glenbard High School in 1942.
Lucille married Earl Caraghar on July 6, 1946 at St. Mel’s Catholic Church in Chicago. They made their home in Chicago and then, for 64 years, in Burbank, Illinois. She was a member of St. Albert the Great Church for the 64 years. Lucille moved to Evergreen Senior Living in 2018 and then to Victorian Village Assisted Living in 2020. Before her marriage, she worked for Rubenstein Jewelers in Chicago and later was a secretary at Encyclopedia Britannica on Michigan Ave from 1963 to 1970. Lucille began working for Reavis High School in 1970 and was an administrative assistant to the Superintendent when she retired in 1982.
Lucille is survived by her children: Janet (Larry) Pensinger of Wisconsin, Mary Carragher and Michael Caraghar, both in Tinley Park, and Nancy (Bill) Houghton in New Lenox. In addition, she is survived by grandchildren: Cindy (Charles) Osborn, Chrissy (Jason) Farlander, Tom (Jaime) Finnen, Jason (Katy) Murray, Sharon (Dan) Blackburn, Kelly Bradley, Dan (Aly) Pensinger, Beth (Brad) Blue, Kevin Lenkart, Brian Lenkart, Jim Houghton, and Allison (Cody Vander Veen) Houghton. She is further survived by 26 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren. Lucille is also survived by a nephew Steve (Lise) Burgess of Tennessee and a great nephew and great niece. She was fondly known as Triple G to her great grandchildren and was the heart of the family.
Mom did not have Covid, but it robbed us of precious time with her. Most important to Mom was being with and taking care of her family, including her own mother during her long life. She loved music, particularly opera, reading and keeping up with current events. Mom and Dad loved to travel throughout the US and some of Canada by themselves, with family or special friends, the O’Gradys. They loved their trip to Ireland, Scotland and England, as well as attending Dad’s WWII Army reunions. Mom maintained lifelong childhood friendships (the Big Four), in addition to that of old neighbors from the west side and Burbank.
Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of almost 60 years Earl, daughter Margaret Murray, brothers William Burgess and Robert Burgess, and sisters-in-law Helen Burgess and Miriam Burgess, and niece Patricia Burgess.
Private funeral services were held February13th, with internment in Mt Carmel Cemetery next to her beloved Earl. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer when we can meet again.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating in her name to her favorite charities: the Arthritis Foundation, Scleroderma Foundation or the Heart Association. You are invited to share memories of Lucille on Lawn Funeral Home’s Memory Wall.