It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Gail Conniff, who left us in the early morning of Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in LaGrange Park, Ill.  A Chicagoan through and through, Gail was born on Oct. 14, 1942 at St. Bernard Hospital in Chicago, and lived her entire life throughout the city’s surrounding areas — including in Morgan Park, Western Springs and Burr Ridge.

Gail is survived by her four children — Colleen (Ted) Cowles, Christine (Chris) Langs, James (Laura) and Michael (Beverly) — and 12 grandchildren: Conor, Caitlin, Cara, Claire, Colin, Alison, Nicole, Matthew, Caroline, Lea, Quinn and Katherine. She is also survived by her sister, Maureen. She is predeceased by her brother, Jay O’Hara, as well as her parents, John and Eileen.

Known by her closest loved ones as being “scrappy,” Gail was a fighter for her entire life, always overcoming adversity. From becoming a widowed mother at age 31 to surviving breast cancer, Gail always bounced back while never putting herself first. Gail never said a bad word about anyone, nor complained about a thing. She consistently taught the importance of love, faith and family — which trickled down from her children to grandchildren. Anyone who knew Gail knows she dedicated these principles to her life every day.

Giving her life to helping others, Gail was a teacher, starting out in the Chicago Public Schools district and transitioning to Stagg High School later in life. She was the quiet spirit who never sought the limelight, but worked tirelessly in the background to support the children she worked with each day.

Gail was a remarkable storyteller, often telling tales of her childhood, married life or just the general history of Chicago. She loved getting her toes in the sands of the beaches of Lake Michigan with her family in the summer. Gail read the front to back of every daily edition of the Chicago Tribune for over 60 years. Even as of last week, you could find Gail with the paper in her hand. This was only the preface of her passion for reading, however — as Gail would read up to several books each week, packing up a brown paper bag full of books to exchange weekly at her favorite book store.  If you have a favorite book, Gail probably read it.

Gail also made it a priority to constantly be involved in her children’s lives, even after they left her household on Lothair Ave. When her children were younger, there wasn’t a job at their school or church that she didn’t volunteer for. When they began to have families of their own, Gail constantly had them over for her legendary Sunday dinners, as well as on holidays. She loved to cook for her family, often citing it as a labor of love. No matter what was going on, family always came first for Gail.

Now joining her late husband, James, and her beloved dogs — Clancy and Guinness — in eternal life, we wish Gail everlasting peace, love and endless amounts of hamburgers, cokes and ice cream up above.

Visitation 3 to 8pm on Friday, January 17th at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Family and friends to meet at St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Rd., Western Springs on Saturday, January 18th for an 11am Funeral Mass. Interment to follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Evergreen Park. Additional Information: 708-352-6500