Mary Charlene Sprague
Mary Charlene Sprague (née Natalie), 84, of Western Springs, IL, passed away peacefully in her home on July 26, 2020 surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late Honorable Richard F. Sprague; loving mother of Stephanie (Joseph), Richard II (Ursula), Heather, and Timothy; doting grandmother of Michael and Nicholas; fond sister of Mark Natalie, and the late Dorothy (Mesch) and the late Phyllis (Yocom); and loving aunt to many nieces and nephews.
For 45 years she cultivated a home, a career, and an active presence in Western Springs. Charlene and her husband helped fund and were founding members of the St John of the Cross Church (1976). She worked as a real-estate agent from 1997. As an avid gardener, she was former co-president of the Western Springs Garden Club, and started the Church’s volunteer group, “Gardening Angels,” to beautify its grounds. She was noted for her kindness, grace, and strength, and was a living example of “treating others as you’d like to be treated.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St John of the Cross Church and the Western Springs Garden Club. Visitation will be held at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, August 2nd, with a funeral mass on Monday, August 3rd at St John of the Cross. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, family and friends who would like to attend the Mass, must pre-register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DA9AB2CA6FECE9-mary. Funeral info: (708) 352-6500 or hjfunerals.com
Aunt Charlene was the definition of grace and kindness. I will miss seeing her smile and hearing her laugh at our family gatherings. She was the perfect example of a lady, and I always looked up to her for embodying these qualities.
Charlene was the most caring person and devoted mom that I have had the pleasure to call a friend of mind. She always had a smile even when things were rough for her. Whenever she would walk into my office she was always concern about bothering me but that was who she was. She was one GREAT lady. My deepest sympathy until we meet again.
Charlene was truly a beautiful woman inside and out. A great woman and matriarch to a spectacular family. It was an honor (and fun ) to know her as my neighbor. We will always treasure the times we shared her grandsons. She was the best grandma Danny knew.