Mary Ann Carroll

Mary Ann (Walther) Carroll passed peacefully in her sleep on October 22, 2022, surrounded by family.

She was born November 21, 1929, to Reuben William and Frances Constance (Burke) Walther. Her older brother Reuben William Walther, Jr. preceded her in death. Mary Ann attended LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby High School, Sacred Heart Academy in Tucson, AZ, Sterling High School, and graduated with the class of 1947 from Ottawa High School. She attended LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College and later graduated with a degree in education from Western Illinois University. She married John Matthew Carroll of Ottawa on June 14, 1952. He preceded her in death on September 3, 2000.

Her first teaching assignment was at Serena High School. Mary Ann later taught 6th grade at St. Francis School in Ottawa from 1961 until the school closed, and then taught 5th grade at Jefferson School until retiring in 1987. She often spoke of how much she loved teaching and how students kept her feeling young, even when she was teaching the grandchildren of her first students. Throughout her life she was active with the American Association of University Women and for many years chaired the annual book sale that raised money for scholarships to graduating senior women at Ottawa High School. Mary Ann was an election judge for several years after she retired from teaching. Mary Ann and John were active with the LaSalle County Historical Society and served terms as president and vice president. She was a volunteer for the Ottawa Scouting Museum and the Ottawa Community Hospital. She was involved with the Ottawa High School class of 1947 reunions for many years and met with most of the surviving members for the 60th class reunion. Since 1958, she was an active parishioner at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa. In 2019 she celebrated her 90th birthday with a party at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ottawa. She later moved into Pleasant View Lutheran Home, a place she very much enjoyed. She was beloved by her children and grandchildren and was a true friend to all who knew her.

She is survived by her four children: Edward Carroll (JanLyn) of Normal, IL, Thomas Carroll (Kim) of Centennial, CO, Mary Frances (Carroll) Chrzanowski (Ron) of Atlanta, GA, and Patrick Carroll (Kelly) of Bourbonnais, IL. She is survived by 10 grandchildren: Liam Nance-Carroll of Normal, IL, Christopher Carroll (Hillary) of Los Angeles, CA, Niall Nance-Carroll (Michelle) of Bloomington, IL, Nicholas Chrzanowski (Jessica) of Chicago, IL, Caitlin (Chrzanowski) Parker (Silas) of Ottawa, IL, Meghan Carroll of Manhattan, IL, Meaghan Carroll of Colorado Springs, CO, Andrew Carroll of Bourbonnais, IL, Sean Carroll of Centennial, CO, and Matthew Carroll of Bourbonnais, IL.

Visitation will be held at the Ottawa Funeral Home on Monday, November 7, 2022, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. A private graveside service will immediately follow. Memorials can be made  to the following organizations that were near and dear to Mary Ann throughout her life.

The LaSalle County Historical Society, 101 E. Canal St., North Utica, IL 61373

The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Museum, 1100 Canal St., Ottawa, IL 61350

The Ottawa Elementary School District# 141, 320 W. Main St., Ottawa, IL 61350