Grace C. Conolly, age 97, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2024, at her beloved home in La Grange, Illinois, the house she designed and built in 1953 as an “early settler” of Leitch Avenue.

Grace leaves behind a legacy of art and lifelong learning. She was a talented sketch artist and watercolorist, celebrated member of the La Grange Art League, and supporter of the local Nettie McKinnon art collection. She had a keen eye for interior and landscape design, masterfully shaping her home where she spent over 70 years and creating space for wonderful family memories at her Wisconsin lake house. She extended her talents beyond her personal spaces, also designing the homes and kitchens of clients professionally. Grace was captivated by ancient history and archaeology, and she avidly followed developments in these fields throughout her life. Her environmental consciousness was ahead of its time, advocating for conservation and sustainability long before they became headline concerns.

Born in Chicago in 1927 to Charles and Cecelia Stoker, Grace was the loyal wife of the late Merton Conolly and the proud mother of Craig Conolly (Ann Ehler), late Mark Conolly (Mary Conolly), and Daniel Conolly (Vicki Oliveira). She adored her grandchildren Kelly Conolly (Jeffrey Dirrenberger), Michael Conolly, and Matthew “Mac” Conolly, and took great joy in her role as great-grandmother, or Gigi, to Mira, Daglan, and Eva Dirrenberger, and Mina Conolly. Over the years, Grace cherished her close friendships and earned admiration and respect from many. She dedicated herself as a caregiver when needed and, later in life, was blessed with excellent caregivers of her own.

Grace will be privately interred at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook with her late husband. In her memory, let us honor her life through big and little actions that support conserving our natural systems for the generations that follow.

Arrangements by Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside at 708-352-6500.