Today we mourn the passing of one of the founding members of the North Berwyn Park District, Leona Pyrce.

Leona Pyrce, (nee Iwaniczko) age 97, of River Forest, previously from Berwyn, passed away on Friday, May 17th surrounded by her loving family.  Leona was born on June 15, 1926 and grew up in Chicago, the loving daughter of the late John and late Aniela, nee Micek, Iwaniczko and the sister of the late Joseph (Jean) and Walter Iwaniczko.

In Chicago, Leona met the love of her life, Charles Pyrce, and was married for 45 years until his passing in 1994. She was the very proud mother of Janice (Gary Kagan), Robert (Marcia), David (Meri), and Philip (Kathy) Pyrce.  She was the grandmother of Robert, Jennifer, Kathleen, Gabriella, Charles, Sarah, Luke and Anna Pyrce, Maryann Albano (Rob Albano) and Alexandra and Jonathan Kagan. And she was the great grandmother of Madison Pyrce, Steven Gonzalez, Ethan Gonzalez, and Robert Albano Jr.

Leona was a community leader in Berwyn serving on the School Board, All Berwyn Committee and a founding member of the North Berwyn Park District.  Pyrce Park in Berwyn was named in her honor in 1996. She continued to celebrate her Polish heritage in her three generation home with many family, friend and extended family celebrations.  

Visitation is from 4 pm to 8 pm on Monday, May 20th, at Salerno’s Galewood Chapel, at 1857 North Harlem Avenue, Chicago and at 8:30 am on Tuesday, May 21st.  Funeral Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated by Father Richard Peddicord O.P. on Tuesday, May 21st at 10 am at St Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in River Forest.  Entombment at Resurrection Mausoleum in Justice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Leona Pyrce  to Thrive Counseling Center, Oak Park, Illinois and Fenwick High School, Oak Park, Illinois

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Leona, thank you for your vision, until we meet again.

-North Berwyn Park District

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