Loretta Spingola, 96

Born: May 25, 1925, in Chicago

Died: Dec. 2, 2021, in Elmhurst, Ill.

Loretta Spingola, 96, of Elmhurst, Ill., died peacefully at home under hospice care on Dec. 2, 2021. She was born May 25, 1925, in Chicago to parents Jacob and Anna (Celar) Korenchan, who each had immigrated to Chicago from Yugoslavia in the early 1900s. She is the mother of Woodstock resident Janet Dovidio.

Loretta married Joseph Spingola of Chicago in 1948. They lived in Elmhurst, where they raised five children. The family now includes 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

During her years as a homemaker, Loretta was a frequent volunteer for many groups, especially at her church, Visitation Catholic Church in Elmhurst. She played bridge several times a week. She loved board games with the grandchildren whom she always allowed to win. She was a prolific reader of romance novels.

She was accomplished at the art of hospitality and cooking for crowds. Her home was the central gathering location for relatives, neighbors, and especially her children’s friends.

As a lifelong Cubs fan, she was delighted to witness a World Series win during her lifetime.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Anna Korenchan; her brother, Father Bill Korenchan; her husband, Joseph Spingola; and her son Michael Spingola.

Her children Janet, Bill, Connie, and Ron are grateful that she lived a very full life to the end. Although arthritis crippled her during her last 10 years, she enjoyed company and family visits until the final few days.

Visitation will be Friday Dec. 10, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 S. York St., Elmhurst.