At the age of 14, Lora joined the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth convent, where she pursued a teaching degree. During her time at the convent, she spent four years at the Vatican in Rome. At the age of 30, she resigned from the convent and moved to Belleville, IL, to pursue a nursing degree. Lora graduated as valedictorian in 1978, from Saint Louis University, St. Louis, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduation, she worked as a registered nurse at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Granite City, IL, for 32 years. Lora married James Alexander and had two daughters, Mary and Julie. She started a new nursing position at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO, while she pursued her master’s degree at Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Lora worked at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for 13 years and retired in 2018.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Alexander, whom she married on November 30, 1985, and who died on September 23, 2021; her parents, Walter and Julia, nee Magdziak, Wasko; and two brothers, Walter and William Wasko.
Surviving are two daughters, Mary Alexander and Julie Alexander (Matthew Leeper); and three grandchildren, Landon Leeper, Carolina Alexander, and Finley Glaus.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023, at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, O’Fallon, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023, at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, O’Fallon, IL, with Fr. James Thomas officiating.
Burial will be held at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, IL.