Mary Eleanor Mahoney

Mary Eleanor (Barnes) Mahoney, 90, of St. Charles, passed away Thursday, November 18, at Sunrise Senior Living, Brighton Gardens, in St. Charles, where she had enjoyed six wonderful years. She made many friends there and appreciated the special care of a truly incredible staff. Visitation will be 3 - 7 p.m. Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 22, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Earlville with Rev. Chris Haake officiating, and Rev. Dale Maloy con-celebrating. Burial will be in St. Theresa Cemetery in Earlville. Mary was born September 21, 1920, in Minonk, Illinois, to George and Genevieve (Walsh) Barnes. She married Raymond Mahoney on April 19, 1952 at St. Patrick Church in Minonk. Rev. Edward (Frank) Mahoney, OSB, brother of the groom, officiated. She attended St. Patrick Grade School and Minonk High School, graduating as Salutatorian in 1938. Following her graduation Mary managed the office of Dr. John Hubbard, who in addition to his medical practice, was Coroner of Woodford County. She loved music, was an accomplished pianist, and was an organist at St. Theresa for many years. She was also a CCD teacher and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Mary lived all of her married life in rural Earlville, raising five children on the Mahoney family farm near Prairie Center. She was proud of her Irish heritage and instilled that quality in her children. She did not strive for fame or fortune, but rather to love her family and to do what was right according to her absolute and unyielding Faith in God. By any measure, she succeeded. Surely the angels will lead her into Paradise. Mary is survived by three daughters, Mary Jane (Francis) Brady of Lake Bluff, Patricia (Matthew) Bartlett of Geneva, and Colleen Mahoney Finneran of Earlville, a daughter-in-law Julie (Duane) Krzyzek of Rockford; a brother, John J. Barnes of Wenona, eight grandchildren, Mary Ellen, Susan, and James Mahoney, Sean, Shannon, and Meagen Finneran, Eileen, and Emmet Brady, one great granddaughter, Haileigh; and four nieces, Kathy (Barnes) Bishop, Rose Barnes, Sharon (Mahoney) Anderson, and Sharon (Mahoney) Johnson. Mary is preceded in death by her husband and two sons, James and John. Pallbearers will be Jim Mahoney, Duane Krzyzek, William Landers, Donald McLachlan, Rich Sutton, and Gerald Glover. Honorary pallbearers will be Peter and John Simons. Memorials may be made in the form of Masses or directed to the donor's choice.