SPRING VALLEY — Lori Ann Guerrini, 58, of Spring Valley walked hand and hand with our Lord Jesus Christ through the gates of Heaven on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. She died peacefully while surrounded by her family after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Lori was born in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Oct. 11, 1956, to Ed and JoAnn (Dody) Rooney. She graduated from Hall High School in 1974 and married Louis J. Guerrini in 1975.
Lori operated Lori's Kiddie Korner for 33 years and was like a second mother to the children she watched. She was the catalyst behind the "Back the Track" committee, which helped to build the all-weather track at Hall High School. She was an original member of the Starved Rock Runners Club and was the race director for the Spring Valley Walleye Club 5K for 25 years. Her years of dedication to the Special Olympics helped countless challenged athletes. As co-director of the LaSalle-Peru to Peoria St. Jude Run for over 20 years, Lori was responsible for nearly $1 million worth of donations. Lori would go out of her way to help anyone in need and was a true asset to her community.
Lori is survived by her husband, Louis J. Guerrini of Spring Valley; her two sons, Louis (Caroline) Guerrini of Washington, D.C., and Nick (Gina) Guerrini of Spring Valley; two grandsons, Dominic and Gianni; her mother, JoAnn of Cherry; three sisters, Cindi (Don) Loebach of Peru, Bonny (Mike) Kohr of Princeton and Bridget (Tim) Potthoff of Cherry; and her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ed; and her brother, Ricky.
A memorial Mass will be at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Parish of The Nativity of Our Lord (Mautino Drive location) in Spring Valley.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. until the time of memorial services at the church. Following the services, a celebration of Lori's life will be held at Verucchi's Ristorante.
In lieu of flowers, the memorials may be directed to Lori's family to assist with medical expenses or to St. Jude.
The Barto Funeral Home, Spring Valley, is assisting with the arrangements. A guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.bartofh.com.