Mary Alice, daughter of the late Thomas Patrick (Co. Kilkenny, Irl) and Susan Cobey (Co. Cavan, Irl) was born September 15, 1930 and died July 29, 2009. She died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. Mary was born and raised on the west side of Chicago near Garfield Park and in Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. She lived in Chicago most of her life before retiring and moving to Schaumburg. She was the oldest of five children and spent her entire life close to her sisters, especially her best friend Sue! Mary had seven children, 15 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Mary's first job was with the phone company and I always pictured her as the Lily Tomlin character. After raising the kids, Mary began a new career in the trade schools. She was a recruiter and placement person for the schools and had a wonderful rapport with the students. Mary was able to stand up before high schoolers and recruit for the trade schools. She gained confidence and ease while doing so and was very good at that job. Mary often had to loan one or another student lunch money or car fare and had ready advice to all who were within ear shot. Mary was able to reconnect with her Irish family early in her life, first by writing to her granny and aunts and then by visiting across the pond. In turn, the cousins were frequent guests here. She never lost her Irish pride and interest in the old country. Mary inspired all of her seven to become friendly with the cousins and get to know the places from which our grandparents came. Mary became tour guide on more than one occasion visiting the family churches, graveyards and old farms in Ireland. After Mary's retirement she became a regular contributor to the op-ed pages of the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times newspapers. She had an opinion on everything but especially Chicago politics. She was an avid reader of fiction as well and always had a book to recommend. Her book club fell apart unfortunately because those who attended thought they came to talk about the book! She was such a vivacious and gregarious person who got a kick out of everything and everybody. Mary was the great communicator and will be sorely missed by all who spent the late night hours talking on the phone with her. She always had time unless it was during "60 minutes" when she'd say "I'll call you back". Mary was loved by all who knew her and made friends wherever she went. She was well know as being able to find anyone a job and wouldn't take no for an answer. She was never lazy or idle and couldn't understand those who were. She never hesitated to pick up a paint brush or spade and could make a meal stretch and feed the crowd. She had a "can do" attitude and had a life well spent. Mary was well known at the St. Patrick's Parish Paddyfest picnic for her corned beef sandwiches. She loved to visit with all the folks and talk about the Irish food. Mary loved to travel and spent time with family and friends doing just that. She was a great traveling companion to most of her kids and some of the grandkids. She traveled to Ireland while one was abroad and fed about 45 of the students who were away from home and missing home cooking. She even went on a boy scout adventure trip to Glacier National Park, Montana! She traveled to England, Canada, Mexico, NY City, Niagara Falls, the east and west coasts and all the National Parks in between. Mary never missed a mile stone in her grand children's lives and she attended all of the high school, college and med school graduations, as well as Christenings and First Communions. Mary was proud of all of their accomplishments of ball playing, becoming a doctor, nurse, social worker, grad student, marine, eagle scout, accountant and car mechanics. To Mary, "education was key". Mary loved her little garden and her finches. She loved to relax and enjoyed watching the birds, having a glass of wine and visiting with family, friends and neighbors on her patio. Mary had more than 100 guests at her 75th birthday party. She planned it herself with her guest of honor Ceil Burke, a grade school girlfriend. The party started with mass, then Irish dancers and a jazz band late into the night. Fun was had by all, but especially by Mary. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brother Tom Walsh, son-in-law Edward Gulling M.D. and nephews Danny French and Robert Murphy. She is survived by her children, Colleen Gulling of St. Charles, Maureen Murphy of Chicago, Dan and Kathy Murphy of Orland Park, Eileen and Don Wise of Hampshire, Pat and Laura Murphy of Downers Grove, Cathleen Murphy of Lombard, Tom Murphy and Judy White of Roselle, her grandchildren, Maura (John Parker), Bridget and Richard Logan Gulling, Dan and Lisa Murphy, Michael, Kevin and Jennifer Murphy and Matthew Murphy, Erin, Patrick and Brendan Scott, Emma and K.C. Bruderle, Maggie Wise, Colby Murphy and Sara Shotsberger, her great-grandchildren, Ryan and Sean Murphy, Andrew and Kailey Murphy, Brianna and Brady Murphy, her sisters and brothers-in-law, Susan French, Barbara and Ty Gauger, Carol and Sol Haller, her nieces and nephews, Suzie and Mike Oakes, Jackie French, Mike French, Stephen and Rosella French, Eddie and Karen French, Julie Haller, Karen and Russell Arakawa, special Irish cousins, Maria Gallogly (Australia), Kathleen and Rory McGreal (Canada), Rosaleen and Geoff Walker (U.K.), Packie Fay (U.K.), Bernadette Griffiths (U.K.), Dympna Yeoell (U.K.), Ita Fay Fitzsimons (Ireland), John and Josie Fay (Ireland), Winifred Galvin (U.K.), Susan Hart (U.K.), Bridie Burns (Ireland), Joe and Dierdre Fay (Oak Lawn, IL USA), Geraldine Fay (Ireland), special friends, Mary Schlaiss, Julie Nixon, Lee Waters, Terese Klinger, Lorraine Shannon, Kevin Murray and Etzia Spadoni. Our gratitude goes out to LUMC chemo nurses, Dr. Danielle Shafer M.D.and hospice nurse Cheryl Felix R.N. A thank you to Geri Muhvic for bringing Mary the Eucharist at her home. Donations to Fr. Phil McGlynn, OSM, Servite Order of Mary, 5754 N. Nashville St. Chicago, IL 60656. Ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris. (There will never be her like again.) Ta tu i mbachlainn De anois. (You are in God's embrace now.)

Burial will be in Prairie Cemetery, St. Charles.