Valeria Pleirys

Valeria Pleirys, age 92, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2019, peacefully at her home in Smith Village, surrounded by her family.  Beloved wife of the late Jonas Pleirys.  Loving mother of Virginia (Peter) Jokubauskas, Julie (Vytas) Kasniunas, Vida (the late Ray) Bartasius, Alda (Sharky) Brakauskas.  Cherished grandmother of Vytas (Tracy)Kasniunas III, Nina (Andy Gruver) Kasniunas, Erika (Darius Lalas) Jokubauskas, Laura (Tomas) Rupinskas, Lisa Bartasius, Justin and Andrew Bartasius, Victor Brakauskas, and Krista (Kovas Polikaitis) Brakauskas.  Dear great grandmother of Aven Kasniunas, Gabriel Lalas, and Benjamin Rupinskas.  Fond sister the late Elena Warren and Aldona Andrijonas;  fond aunt of Rita Olson and Mary (Dennis Riley) Andrijonas and many relatives in California and Lithuania.  Born in Kartena, Lithuania in 1926, Valerie and her sister Aldona had many cherished memories that she shared with her daughters and grandchildren of their happy childhood living in Lithuania.   The rich history of her life in Lithuanian, and then later in the United States, instilled a great Lithuanian heritage with her children and grandchildren, who have an opportunity to visit her homeland and enrich themselves with the Lithuanian culture.   Valerie had worked for 12 years as a histology technician at Loyola University Dental School, and enjoyed her days working there.  After retiring, Valerie was very busy with her extended family – her 9 grandchildren and three great grandchildren enjoyed many visits from their Dear Babule – being spoiled by her with her special treats that she made for them:  koldunai, bitute, lemon blynai….enjoying nature, with many walks in the park, the dunes, and local forest preserves.  Visitation Friday, July 26, 2019, at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home/Palos Hills, from 4pm – 8pm.  Holy Mass will be offered on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at 10:00 am at Nativity B.V.M. Church, 6812 S. Washtenaw Ave., Chicago, IL 60629.  No visitation Saturday morning at funeral home or church. Interment following at St. Casimir Lithuanian Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Nativity B.V.M. Church.