Neighbors Celebrate Oak Lawn Woman's 100th Birthday

OAK LAWN, IL — Mary Olijar, who’s never smoked or drank, doesn’t swear and hates having her picture taken, celebrated the big 1-0-0 on Wednesday. In honor of her birthday, the baby of Mary’s nine children — Helen Barnes — organized a cotillion of cars to drive past her mom’s house.

“She seems to know its birthday and every once in a while will mention that she’s turning 100,” said Barnes.

Born Mary Bernice Catherine Kelly on June 16, 1921 on the South Side, she grew up to be a dark-haired Irish beauty when she met husband Dan Olijar, a Bohemian, at a bowling alley on a blind date, or so the story goes.

“My dad was a big bowler,” Barnes said. “Her cousin set them up. At first, she didn’t like him.”

Eventually, Mary did like Dan, and the two got married in 1946. They had nine children: Barbara, Frances, Don, Rosemary, Dan, Raymond, Roger, Christine and Helen. She brought them up as White Sox fans. They’ve blessed Mary with 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Mary is a 71-year resident of Oak Lawn, much of it spent paying taxes. She was a faithful parishioner of the shuttered St. Louis de Montfort, and most recently, St. Gerald’s. She’s lived in the same home where she raised her nine children with domestic flair.

“She’s a wonderful mom,” Barnes said. “She never asks for anything, she never yells, doesn’t drink and doesn’t swear. She’s the mom to friends who’ve lost their parents.”

Well-wishers will gather at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at Alive Church, 8844 Austin Ave. (89th Street and Austin Avenue). The parade will head over to Mary’s house at 4 p.m.