Frances Linda Raycroft (nee Mizerik)

Frances Linda Raycroft, age 81 of Whiting, IN passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, July 28, 2023. She was born on October 31, 1941 in Hammond, IN, and preceded in death by her husband, Thomas A Raycroft, sister Nancy (Dave) Preis, father Carl J Mizerik, and mother Frances (Chambers) Mizerik.

Nothing will replace the sound of Mom’s voice, the smells of homemade cookies or halupki, or her gentle embrace when walking in the door. She epitomized ‘home’ for her family, friends, and an assortment of life’s visitors, welcoming all to her open, caring heart. 

People have referred to our Mom as a rock. We agree – she was a constant role model of joy, peace, and unconditional love for her surviving 9 children and 18 grandchildren: Theresa (Javier) Orozco, Carl (Suzan) Raycroft and children Maitlin, Parker, Hogan, and Charlie; Loretta (John) Bock and children Samantha (Devin Haymond), Cecilia, John Thomas; Daniel (Stephanie) Raycroft and children Alexandra, Anna, and Andrea; Bridget (Frank) Baeza and children Mary Bridget, Joseph, and Anthony; Catherine (Todd) Larson and children Megan and Karl; Colleen Raycroft and daughter Taylor; Maurice (Emily) Raycroft; and, Francis (Jen) Raycroft and children Adelaide and Quinn. In 2021, Linda celebrated her first great grandson, John Benjamin Bock (John and Nadia).

She is survived by her sisters, Janis LaFond and Pamela Mrjenovich, brother-in-law Patrick (Kathleen) Raycroft and sister-in-law Maureen (Jack) Schutz as well as her godson Joseph Raycroft, many nieces and nephews, cousins, second cousins, and countless family friends. 

Linda grew up in Whiting/Robertsdale, IN and was proud to have attended St. John the Baptist Grade School and Clark High School, where she was an ace on the badminton team. She went to IU Northwest for one year, earned straight As, and thenattended Loyola University for two years as an accounting major and a Resident Assistant, until she was swept off her feet by her husband, Tom.

She encouraged her kids and others to take risks and make the most out of life. She was an entrepreneur at heart and jack of all trades, who could whip up dinner for a platoon of her family and Whiting High School kids in no time. Christmas celebrations with Mom were full of tradition and the joy of togetherness with family and friends. Mom enjoyed playing pinochle and othergames with her kids and grandchildren. 

Mom’s core was magnetic, pulling diverse backgrounds and personalities together. No one got a free pass when it came to her unfiltered honesty and words of advice on topics ranging from breast feeding to tax deductions. She did not judge people for who they were but expected them to be the best they could be. In a world that is quick to judge and blame, Linda wanted to understand and celebrate who you are and the value you bring to the world.  

Mom was proud of her Slovak-Irish heritage, a member and family advocate of Jednota, and a devout Catholic, who led her family through acts of kindness, charity, and goodwill. She was unphased by whatever we or anyone else sent her way, including the family move to northern Minnesota with 7 children, ages 1-10, where she learned how to milk a goat, live off the land with her green thumb, and cook everything from scratch, including homemade White Castles and Arnie’s hot dogs. Through her strength and wisdom she taught us to manage our emotions, keep things in perspective, leverage our talents, take risks, and have fun along the way. Her Lucille Ball-delivery and ability to laugh at the absurd kept her young at heart until the very end. 

Mom will be remembered for her commitment to her family: she knew that as long as she provided key ingredients of love and honesty, we would have what we needed to build enduring, fruitful lives of our own. Her voice, whistling, and songs, filled with love, will forever resonate through her children, grandchildren, and those who she touched. 

A Mass of Christian Memorial Celebration will be held on August, 19th 2023, 10 am at St. John The Baptist Church, 1849 Lincoln Ave, Whiting, IN with Rev Mark Peres CPPS officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Frances L. Raycroft to:

1)The Anna Hurban Scholarship Fund — Attn. FCSLA National President, 24950 Chagrin Blvd, Beachwood, OH 44122

2) St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://raise.stjude.org/FrancesLRaycroft

3) St. John School Endowment Fund: 1849 Lincoln Avenue, Whiting, IN 46394.

Online condolences may be made to the family at https://www.castlehillfuneralhome.com/listings

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