Mary Amoroso Michaliska, 92, of Riverside, died peacefully in her sleep on April 17, 2020. 

Ms. Michaliska was born to the late Cuono and Vincenza Amoroso on Aug. 13, 1927. She graduated from Marshall High School in Chicago in 1947 and was an active member of Saint Odilo Church in Berwyn and Saint Mary's Church in Riverside. 

Called to spiritual service, she was on the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), a group devoted to strengthening the communication between parish groups and the universal church, and the Council of Catholic Women (CCW), an organization that empowers and educates women in spirituality and leadership. 

Ms. Michaliska was also compelled to serve those in need. She was a lay minister who brought fellowship and communion to homebound parishioners, as well as a volunteer for PeopleCare.

She believed in the language of fashion. She took pride in coordinating tasteful and attractive ensembles for every occasion and she never left her house without her lipstick on. 

She worked in the women's wear department of multiple Chicagoland stores and had a flair for helping customers select the perfect article of clothing to help them feel beautiful and confident. Mary also worked as the administrative assistant to the director of nursing for the Cook County Department of Health. 

An evocative storyteller, she could disarm anyone with her laugh. She supported her children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors, marking every milestone with an exceptional home cooked meal. 

She was strong, vivacious, and devoted to her family, leading them through difficult times with grace and compassion. Her family grieves her loss, but they take comfort in knowing that she and her husband Ernie are jitterbugging together again.

She was preceded in death by her husband and dance partner of 66 years, Ernest Michaliska. She was the mother of Judy (Jay) Sandy-Howk, Gary (Nancy) Michaliska, Jane (David) Fremgen, and Donna (Jim) Galt; the grandmother of Jessica (Sean) Sandy-Bober, Jonathan Sandy, Jacob (Brittany) Michaliska, Rachel (Anthony) Mercado, Zachary Michaliska, Caleb Michaliska, Sheryl Galt, Matthew Galt, and Erin Galt; and great-grandmother (GiGi) of Camden Galt, Ernie Bober, Ezrael Mercado and Zariah Mercado. 

Services are private. Inurnment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. 

Donations are appreciated to Alexian Brothers Hospice Program and Residence at amitahealth.org.

Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.