Virginia Mary (McDaniel) Llorca

aged 82, passed away peacefully at home with her husband and her daughter nearby on April 26th, 2026. Born in Chicago, IL on April 9th, 1944 to Robert and Frances (Sparough) McDaniel, she was raised in Oak Park, graduating from OPRF in 1961. She met her husband of 61 years, Louis Llorca, 88, of Chicago, at Loyola University in 1964. Rumor has it she followed him into the Clover Leaf Tap, and the rest, as they say, is history. They were married October 10th, 1964. Their daughter Lisa was born in 1965, and their daughter Francesca was born in 1982. In her early childhood, she was affectionately nicknamed “Ditty” by her Dad, and from then on, was rarely known by any other name, even to the Illinois Secretary of State. Her tenacity and determination were evident early on. She taught herself to read when she was four years old- although her motivation remains unclear- and remained an avid reader her entire life. Books were always her happy place, and she eventually got around to writing and publishing a few of her own works. Because she spent so much time reading, she was an endless vault of knowledge, facts, and wisdom. Unbeatable at trivia. If she didn’t know the answer to something, she usually knew right where to find out, and she would never hesitate to share a pertinent piece of knowledge with you if she thought it would help. Sometimes this would occur even if you hadn’t asked. She was fiercely protective of her family and friends, and always made you feel safe. You knew even if the world ended, she would still be there, holding your hand and yelling telling you that it would all be ok. And you would always hear her voice in a crowd, cheering you on as loud as she could, no matter how terribly the game may have been going. She didn’t care, she was just watching you, because she thought you were amazing no matter what. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Louie; her daughter Francesca (Kyle), and grandchildren Benjamin and Delaney; her granddaughters Cassandra and Danielle, and great-grandson Eli; her daughter Lisa, and grandson Billy; her brother Bob (Gail) McDaniel, and a large handful of nephews, nieces, and cousins whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Frances McDaniel; her brother Peter (Joanna) McDaniel; and three tiny angels who she was finally able to meet for the first time. Every one of us has a lifetime of memories with her, many of which are the type where something as simple as a trip to the grocery store turned into a hilarious experience you’ll never forget. We’ve all called her up to ask her the question that we were certain only she would know the answer to, and she did. Now, we’ll hold on to these memories tighter than ever, so they will be our comfort when we miss her. When we miss being able to call her on the phone, or miss her laugh, or her hug, or her face. Take comfort in your heart by knowing that if you hold a happy memory of her, then she holds one of you, too, and that it filled her heart with love to recall it. And, perhaps most importantly, take comfort in knowing that there will inevitably be a time in your life when you hear her voice in your head, unannounced, offering you a piece of wisdom or advice that you didn’t know you needed, until… “You know there’s a way to properly fold a fitted sheet…” We’ll miss you forever, Mom.