Mary Catherine O’Rourke
Mary Catherine O’Rourke, age 58, formerly of LaGrange, Illinois. Beloved sister of Richard (Mary Ellen), Robert (Christine), Thomas (Kristin), and John O’Rourke. Loving aunt of Amanda O’Rourke, Colleen Rehfeld (Brad), Brian O’Rourke (April), Nancy Wakeman (William), Kathleen DaRin (Trevor), Collin O’Rourke (Christine), Kyle O’Rourke (Catherine), Makayla Burmeister, and Mason Burmeister. Dear great-aunt of thirteen. Visitation on Sunday, Aug. 23rd 2-6 p.m. at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 301 75th St., Downers Grove. Mass on Monday, Aug 24th 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary of Gostyn Church, 445 Prairie Ave, Downers Grove. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove.
Mary loved her family, truly treasured her lifelong friends, and was a proud aunt who loved to see and hear about her many nieces and nephews. She was gregarious, confident, a huge sports fan (Go Sox and Alabama Rolling Tide), and very much loved her dogs over the years. Even with four brothers, she was known to be the best athlete in the family. Mary is remembered as a kind and fun-loving person who loved her work, her friends in Alabama, and was, well, just fun to be around.
Appropriate social distancing and facial coverings are required. In lieu of flowers, memorials to American Cancer Society or ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) would be appreciated.
Due to current gathering restrictions, a maximum of 50 people may occupy the funeral home at a time. Face coverings and social distancing are required at the funeral home, church and cemetery.
Thoughts & prayers to the family! This is a huge loss!
Hi John.
Sorry for your loss. And sorry for reaching out to you under these circumstances.
I assume you are the John O’Rourke from Knox and Fenwick?
When you get a chance, let me know how you are and maybe we can get together for a socially distanced beer or coffee.
I feel like a part of me is gone. She is my oldest and dearest friend. I know I will see her again someday. We will laugh and reminisce about the fun times we had together. Things like winning an award in the Pet Parade as Harpo and Groucho, Mary wanting to ride the tilt-a-whirl three times in a row and then puking (I can still see Frank shaking his head), sneaking off to the BB and GM, fun times at the zoo, three hour phone calls, parties at the Fox House, and the concert from hell (Dire Straits?).
Hi Bruce. I went to Edgewood College with Mary in 1984 -85. I just was Googling Mary as I lost touch with her when my youngest was born in 2001. Mary Pat and I visited her I think in Montgomery , AL after graduation. Did you work for Boeing I recall? I gave her a stuffed wart hog naned Boris she loved. Remember stories of her emergency Apoendectomy one summer after she’d been drinking beer all night after ball game. She peex over 1 5 liters and the nurse was amazed! Also her Berwyn apt. and divey bars she took us to znd out for Polish food in Berwyn. I am sorry I didnt know. She always made me laugh. I saw your comment on funeral home site sbd remember hearing about Bruce! Today is 24th Anniversary of my Dad’s death..was searching his obituary and thought of Mary. I used to take the ALCO bus from Madison with her abd bus from airport to LaGrange. Had supper with them and she took me to train and I would go to Galesburg, IL and my parents picked me up there. Memories…