Mary S. Lenci

Mary S. Lenci

Age 77, of Plainfield, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois, with her loving family by her side. 

Born November 14, 1948, in Joliet, Mary was the daughter of Donald J. and Lola (née Farmer) Mahoney. She was a graduate of Joliet Township Central High School, Class of 1966. On February 24, 1968, she married the love of her life, Michael O. Lenci, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Joliet.

Mary loved life. She loved her family, her friends, her job as an accomplished hair stylist at Persona Grata now named the Grata Collective; she loved all of her clients who she also considered friends. She enjoyed her time as a Tressa educator teaching and mentoring stylists all over Illinois.

 She lit up every room she entered, made the uncomfortable feel comfortable, and made the world a better place simply by knowing her. 

Mary also loved the arts. She was an accomplished painter and then moved on to creating beautiful stained-glass windows and lamps. Pottery was another passion, but her greatest creative love was quilting for family and friends. 

She and Mike especially enjoyed road trips traveling to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota on four separate occasions. Her greatest love was for her husband, children, and grandchildren, who will all miss her immensely along with her chihuahuas, Buddy and Jack. 

Survivors include her loving children, Bryan (Jan) Lenci and Jennifer (Donovan) Nowak; grandchildren Michael and Paulie Lenci, Lola and Lukas Nowak; sisters and brothers Donna Harty, Howie (Vicki) Mahoney, Dolly Mahoney, Debbie Mahoney, and Nancy Mahoney; sisters-in-law Geni (Bernie) Olejniczak and Lori (Jon) McBride; and numerous nieces, nephews, and many close friends whom she loved very much. 

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Michael O. Lenci; her parents, Donald J. and Lola Mahoney; her siblings David Mahoney, Tim Mahoney, Susan (Ralph) Massett, and Frank Mahoney; her in-laws Orlando J. and Gloria M. Lenci; and her sister-in-law Ruth Ann (Robert) Kijowski.

 A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435. A Celebration of Mary’s Life will follow at 1:00 p.m.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.PleseFuneralservices.com.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the genuine care and direction of Kenneth A. Plese, in Joliet, IL 815-735-2125.