Mary Edna Luberda (née Maillet), 85, peacefully joined the angels in heaven on August 30, 2026, at her assisted living community in Woodridge, Illinois. Though she spent her final days in Woodridge, her heart was always at home in Forsyth, Missouri.
Mary—affectionately known as Edna to her family—was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, the cherished daughter of Delvina and Melase Maillet. When she was eight years old, Edna and her parents moved to the north side of Chicago, where she built the life and family, she held so dear. She graduated from Immaculata High School in 1958 and later attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier.
At a church social, Edna met Richard N. Luberda, the man who would become her devoted husband. They married on October 14, 1961—just one week after her twenty-first birthday—and shared forty-three years of a loving and caring marriage until Richard’s passing in 2005.
Together, Richard and Edna lovingly nurtured and raised five children: Janet Luberda, Caryn (Ken) Gray, Richard (Tracye) Luberda, Kimberly (Robert) Walden, and David (Tzaddi) Luberda. Her family remained the center of her world, and she felt deeply blessed by her seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Edna was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Richard; and her son, David.
Edna’s most important role was raising and caring for her family. She also devoted countless hours to the Pleasant Lane Parent-Teacher Association, helping plan and organize school carnivals, Halloween parades, field days and hamburger days.
When Edna returned to the workforce full-time, she continued serving children through elementary education. As a Learning Resource Center (LRC) aide at two schools, she became a valued member of each school community.
At one of those schools, Edna helped establish the LRC by ordering, cataloging, and organizing books, learning kits, and equipment for the new space. Her greatest joy, however, was working with the young students who used the center.
When Edna and Richard made Forsyth, Missouri, their permanent home in 1998, Edna embraced the community with the same warmth and generous spirit she shared throughout her life. She delighted in going to garage sales with her new neighbor, often setting off down the road in her cheerful red Ford Mustang convertible—a memory that captures her sense of fun and adventure. She gave her time to the public library resale shop for several years and served her community through the county clerk’s office, where she helped certify elections. True to her caring nature, Edna also mentored a local elementary student, patiently helping her with reading and math. After Richard’s death, she found comfort, friendship, and a renewed sense of belonging at Our Lady of the Ozarks parish. Her faith and church family became a deeply treasured part of her life.
Edna will be remembered at a memorial mass on October 16, 2026 at 9:00 at Our Lady of the Ozarks Catholic Church in Forsyth, Missouri. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.
