MARY J. GLEASON (nee Joyce), Age 96 passed away on December 13th, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was a devoted mother to Michael, Shawn (Paula), Maureen, Sheila Joyce and Peter Gleason (Marcy). Loving grandmother to Joshua, Bridget Scaglione, Zachary, Luke Hammes, Bianca Gallivan (Sean), Gracie and Stella Gleason. Great grandmother to Annabella (late), Christopher, Sofia Scaglione and Maddox Barber. Sister to Agnes (Conroy) (late), Celia (Murphy) (late), Ann (Kemp) (late), Tom (late), Martin (late), Frank (late) and Michael Joyce. Beloved first cousin to Mary (late) (Frank) O’Connor (late), Agnes Burke (Tom), Anne Killeen (Seamus), Mary Leonard (Noel) (late) and Patricia Joyce.
Fond Aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Mary was born in the rural west of Ireland in 1928 in the town of Lahardaun, County Mayo.
She arrived in Chicago in 1947 on a propeller plane that landed at Midway Airport. She was 19 years old and came to live with her aunt to help her mother Bridget and 7 younger siblings back home after the death of her father Toby. She settled in the Andersonville neighborhood where she found work in many of the Swedish restaurants that lined Clark Street.
Mary was an ardent supporter of the Irish American Heritage Center and worked tirelessly alongside her friend Breege and the late Tom Looney to get the center established.
She was an exceptionally strong woman with a no-nonsense attitude. But there was another side to Mary that was warm and endearing. People loved her and she had the greatest smiling Irish eyes.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Irish American Heritage Center. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a future date.
Pete, Marcy, Maureen, Sheila, Shawn, Michael. I’m heartbroken for your loss. Losing a mother is unimaginable & I’m holding you in my thoughts & prayers. I’m sorry you have to suffer through this time. I will miss her terribly ❤️ Love Marilyn Dufkis (Mama Duf)