We celebrate the passing of Mrs. Mary Caro of Wheaton, Illinois who died on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the age of 85. We remember her life and memory through her family and friends who remain and through her long life of service as wife, loving mother, caring nurse, and humble servant of every human being.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard and by her son David. She is survived by her children: John Caro of Florida, Michael Caro of Glen Ellyn and Laura Caro of Wheaton. Also surviving are her brother, James Collins, and sister, Caroline Gosse, three grandchildren (Jay, Josh and Nikki), and four beautiful great grandchildren (Laney, Levi, Jonah and Logan).

Mary was born in Cambridge, and lived and worked in Watertown, Massachusetts until she met her future husband through a friend on a blind date. They fell in love and were married when Len graduated MIT. They lived in Michigan and Virginia, finally settling in Peoria where they raised their 4 children for 18 years. They moved to Wheaton, Illinois where Len passed away during his service as city manager.

Mary worked her way through college to become a neonatal nurse. She served in many hospitals, mostly at Rush in Chicago, working nights to support herself and her family. She made many sacrifices for the children in her personal family as well as those in her work. Mary always said that all children were her children, and the little ones she cared for were loved and supported in life and in death. No matter how long a child was in her hands, she always saw their potential for growth and their need to receive the best of care that she could give.

After retirement, she traveled all over the United States and to other countries. She loved to drive and see new things. She enjoyed visiting people, and she always gave of her time and any service she could do - no service was too big or too small.

In her last months, confined to her bed, she still gave of herself, supporting schools and libraries in the area with books and supplies through local teachers. She baked for people through helpers so that individuals and businesses could be thanked for their service to herself and her family. She also supported veterans in memory of her husband, Len, who was a veteran himself.

She had a deep love of people especially children, and never forgot them, even when she was very sick. In her last days, Mary said, "Take care of each other, not take care of one another. People need to help everyone, not just a few." She did this all her life with humor and grace and will be deeply missed. Now there is another angel to stand beside the Throne watching over all of us.

In lieu of flowers, Mary wished that donations in her memory be given to the Eggert Baha'i School, which serves the spiritual needs of all children, or please gift a children's book to your local school library.

Checks to Eggert should be made payable to Eggert Baha'i School and can be mailed to:
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Naperville
P.O. Box 4613
Naperville, IL 60567-4613