Obituary of Sun Ok Traynor

Giving was her love-language. What she didn’t express in words she showed through kindness and charity. Sunny gave whatever she could to whoever she could. There was always a big tip ready for the garbagemen and mailman at Christmastime, or anyone who came to the house to help. She spared no effort in helping her sons achieve their goals. She never passed the chance to spoil her grandsons with toys and clothes. And she was famous for cooking enough Korean food to overfeed an army. Her hand-made yaki mandu are still a thing of legend. She did all of this without expecting anything in return except to see the joy that it brought to our faces.

Sunny grew up in South Korea with her parents, two brothers, and two sisters. She emigrated to America in 1972 where she was warmly welcomed to the country by the Traynors, Paddocks, and Dalys, her new husband’s family. Shortly after, she gave birth to her son, Jason. Eight years later she welcomed her second child, Andy. She enjoyed watching concert movies and throwing dinner parties for friends. She worked 30 years at Abbott Laboratories where she toiled twelve-plus hour days to provide and care for her family. But through all of her generosity and selflessness, she never realized that her greatest gift of all was herself. Her company was cherished by friends and family and today we feel the loss of the gift of her life. Though our hearts hurt, Sunny was made a child of God through the sacrament of Baptism, and we look forward with sure hope to a very joyful reunion.

Sun Ok Traynor, 75, passed away on September 25, 2023 in Libertyville, IL. She was born December 8, 1947 in a village outside of Seoul, South Korea. She was preceded in death by Dae Bong (father), Pak Soon Hong (mother) Jason Robert Traynor (son), and William Jacob Traynor (former spouse). She is survived by her son, Andrew (Holly) Traynor, two grandsons Finnegan Traynor and Colin Traynor, and many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will take place Thursday, October 12, 10:00 am at Bethel Lutheran Church, 5110 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031. Funeral services begin at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow. Interment is at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, 1436 Kenosha Rd, Zion, 60099 at 2:30 pm.