Mary Whelan nee McDonagh, 88, of Prospect Heights peacefully departed this life surrounded by her family on June 4, 2024. Born January 24, 1936, in Lissergool, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, she was the daughter of the late Mary nee Sharkey and Edward McDonagh; Beloved wife of 49 years of the late Michael, devoted mother of Michael (Sarah), Bernadette (Thomas) O’Leary, Thomas (Colleen) and Michelle (Thomas) O’Carroll; proud grandmother of Michael, Peter, John, and Cecelia Whelan, Tiehg, Aisling, and Cormac O’Leary, Mary Frances and Thomas Whelan, and Grace and Daniel O’Carroll; loving sister of Catherine Bernadette (late Edward) Shannon, the late Thomas Valentine (Mary)McDonagh, Patrick McDonagh, Cormac (late Laura) McDonagh; Loving aunt, sister-in-law, cousin and friend to many.
She was a dedicated parishioner of St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church for 50 years and faithfully served in St. Al’s Ministry of Care and as a Eucharistic Minister. She was happiest raising her family, helping run the family business with her beloved Mike and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mary was guided by her strong faith and love of family. She brought joy to many through her beautiful smile, kind words, soft brogue, thoughtful poems and her endearing stories. Always finding the good in others, she delighted in making new friends and cherishing her life-long friends.
Visitation Sunday, June 9, 3:00-8:00 PM at Matz Funeral Home, 410 E. Rand Road, Mt. Prospect and Monday, June 10, at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church, 411 N. Wheeling Road, Prospect Heights, from 9:30 AM until Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 AM. Interment All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Misericordia Home, 6300 N. Ridge Avenue., Chicago, Illinois 60660, or click on: https://www.misericordia.com/giving/donate-online/.
Live Stream of Mass will be available on the church’s Facebook page
Sincere sympathy to the Whelan families and her dear sister Bernie. Mary was a wonderful person, full of fun and laughter. We will miss her at the Pancake House.
Rest in Peace dear Mary. Condolences to all the Whelan families. 🙏🏻💔🙏🏻
Deepest sympathy on the death of Mary (baby). RIP Patricia and Arthur Jameson (lowry) ireland
Sincere sympathy to the Whelen family from Jimmy and Pauline Lowry Lissergool Roscommon
Oh so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing, our deepest sympathies
A Heavenly reunion…deepest sympathies RIP
Pat and Eileen Byrne
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of auntie Mary. I am sister-in-law of Susan and Bob Biggio. I met Mary at several family parties. We had a connection…. My grandfather was from Co Roscommon, too. Absolutely loved talking about this with Mary. It is my hope that all your wonderful memories bring you all peace.
☘️🩷☘️Colleen and Tom Biggio
Sincere sympathy to all Mary’s family. Because of a prior commitment, I am unable to make the wake or Mass. I will remember Mary and her family at Mass tomorrow morning
Fr Karl.l
Sincere Sympathy to Michael, Bernadette, Thomas and Michelle and to all their extended families on the sad passing of your beautiful Mom.
She was such a lovely, kind and caring lady. She will be sadly missed by all that knew her.
May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace.
Sincerely,
Theresa and John McCrory
Your neighbors at Sterling Village.
You will be missed from 212.
I am one of her lifelong friends & I have cherished her. From that little village in Ireland where we grew up, she has been my best & dearest fiend. What a journey, we shared & did so much in good times & some sad. I will miss her every day & can’t imagine my life without her. she was kind, generous & loving in every way. We will meet again in heaven where we will dance, sing & continue the good times. Farwell my dear friend until we meet again. My condolences to her beautiful family whom she loved so well. Mary Sharkey Borner