Ramona Black

Ramona A. Black (Jurkovich), age 88, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2024. Ramona was the beloved wife of the late Thomas W. Black; loving mother of Suzi Fox, Ralph (Linda) Black, Cynthia (Daniel) Purcell and Jennifer (Peter) Svalbe; dearest daughter of the late Estelle and Joseph Jurkovich; cherished grandmother of Christopher (Valerie), Chelsea (Tyler), Zach, Halie, Madeline and Annika; great grandmother of Silas and Ivy; dear sister of the late Kathy (Charlie) Tomlin and the late Richard Jurkovich and she was a fond aunt of many. “Ramona touched many lives with uncomplicated and limitless generosity of her spirit, attention and time” as quoted from her award presentation for CCW’s 2008 Woman of The Year. Ramona was an active member of the Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish for over 60 years and served on the Greeters Group at the church council. She was also a founding member of the Mary & Martha Guild and served on all of its available positions. Ramona worked at Maine South (and Maine West) High School for over 20 years in various departments and administrative support roles.

Ramona loved people and people loved her. She knew how to make a friend in a minute and keep that friendship for a lifetime. She knew how to be present with the person in front of her, asking them questions about their life, their work, their family. Oftentimes she extended a friendly face in a crowd where she knew no one! She made people feel seen and important. She always parked her car in the driveway (on purpose) and had a pot of hot coffee available. People loved to stop by her house for coffee and conversation. Their first words were usually “I hope it’s OK that I stopped by, I saw your car in the driveway.” People knew they could come in and make themselves comfortable because that’s how Ramona made them feel. She welcomed them into her life, embraced them through their difficult times, and they always had a place at her table.

Visitation Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL. Funeral services begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home, and then proceed to Mary Seat of Wisdom Church for Mass at 10:00 a.m. The interment will follow at Town of Maine Cemetery in Park Ridge. Donations to Ascension Alexian Brothers Hospice Residence 901 Martha St., Elk Grove Village, IL. 60007 (847)257-3407 are also accepted. For more information call (708)456-8300