Mary Elizabeth Rampolla OBITUARY

Mary Elizabeth Rampolla OBITUARY

Mary Beth Rampolla passed away peacefully on Sunday July 12, 2026 from complications related to a lung infection after more than a decade of courageously battling autoimmune disease. She had also overcome a brain tumor years earlier with the same resilience and grace that defined her life.

Born March 14, 1962 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mary Beth was one of six siblings. She earned her degree in architecture from the University of Cincinnati and became an award-winning Chicago-based architect and designer whose work reflected a rare blend of creativity, strategy, discipline and humanity.

Beginning her career with Eva Maddox Associates, Mary Beth went on to found Viro Design Lab, where she became known for creating iconic spaces and enduring brands. Her work shaped environments for design leaders such as KI and Maya Romanoff, creative giants like Ogilvy & Mather, and beloved consumer brands, including ZICO Coconut Water. She believed that great design should elevate and inspire both people and purpose, and hers did.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Mary Beth will be remembered for her generosity, warmth, and radiant spirit. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend, mentor, neighbor and landlord whose joy for life, enthusiasm and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Even through years of profound physical suffering, she remained remarkably creative, optimistic, deeply caring and joyful.

Her legacy lives on in the spaces she designed, the brands she helped build, and, most importantly, the countless lives she touched with her enthusiasm, joy, compassion, love, and beauty. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered with love.

A celebration of life will be held the afternoon of August 1, 2026 in Lincoln Park. Details upon request from friends or family.