Marylou D. McAvaney
February 4, 1948 ~ August 27, 2026
Resided in: Vero Beach, FL
MaryLou (Romanecki) McAvaney
February 4, 1948 – August 27, 2026
MaryLou McAvaney, of Vero Beach, Florida, formerly of Lombard, Illinois, passed away on August 27, 2026, at the age of 78.
MaryLou was born on February 4, 1948, in Brookfield, Illinois, the only child of Ted and Millie Romanecki, who preceded her in death.
Although she grew up as an only child, MaryLou went on to build the big family she had always wanted. More than anything else in her life, she loved being a mom and a grandma. Her family was her world.
MaryLou raised her children, Paul, Laurie, Leslie, and T.J., in Lombard, Illinois. Like every family, there were good times and hard times, laughter and tears, celebrations and worries, and plenty of life in between. Through all of it, there was Mom. She showed up, she worried, she listened, and she loved.
As her children grew and started families of their own, MaryLou found another role she absolutely loved: Grandma.
Being a grandmother brought MaryLou tremendous joy. She loved knowing what was happening in the lives of the people closest to her. She wanted to hear how the game went, how the test went, how school or work was going, and most importantly, how they were really doing. And she texted. A lot.
Her messages were simply part of everyday life. Sometimes it was a question, sometimes a quick check in, and sometimes just a reminder that she was thinking about you. That was MaryLou. Staying connected was one of the ways she showed her love.
For more than thirty years, MaryLou worked in accounting at the DuPage Board of Realtors. She was hardworking, dependable, and took pride in what she did. But the accomplishment that meant the most to her could never be measured by a career. It was the family that grew around her.
Two years ago, MaryLou and her husband, David, retired to Vero Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed the warmth and a slower pace of life.
MaryLou is survived by her husband of thirty years, David McAvaney; her children, Paul, Laurie, Leslie; and T.J. and her stepson, Sean.
She was the proud grandmother of Jessica, Nick, Abigail, Sophia, Jacob, Ryan, Sarah, Colin, James, Dean, LisaMarie, Christian, Chase, Logan, Maddux, and Iszbella .
For her children, losing Mom leaves a space that is difficult to put into words. She had simply always been there. She was their mom through every stage of life, and no matter how old her children became, that never changed.
MaryLou loved her family deeply. Not perfectly, not always quietly, but completely. She celebrated with them, worried about them, stood beside them, and took enormous pride in the people they became.
An only child from Brookfield grew up and created the big family she had always wanted. In the end, that family became her greatest joy and her greatest legacy.
Her children and grandchildren will carry countless memories of her with them, but underneath all of those memories is something even more important.
They knew they were loved.
And they always will.
A Celebration of Life honoring MaryLou will be held at a later date. Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements have been finalized.
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MaryLou was always a kind person to me welcoming me into her home anytime. I’m forever grateful to have known her and her family. Thoughts and prayers for Paul, Laurie, Leslie, TJ and their families. R.I.P.