Margaret Clare Kennedy Ronan
June 29, 1926 ~ November 14, 2022
Margaret Clare Kennedy Ronan was born in Chicago on June 29, 1926 to Irish immigrants John Kennedy and Nora Connolly. She had one brother, Johnny (later ordained Fr. Thaddeus), born in 1927.
Margaret, also known as Margie and Maggie, attended Visitation High School and was proud to be the 1944 senior class president. After graduation, she worked in downtown Chicago at The Fair department store long enough to turn 21 and join American Airlines. After graduating from stewardess school in Ardmore, OK, she went to work “on the line”, first based at La Guardia in NYC, then Memphis, and finally returning home to fly out of her back yard, Midway airport.
On September 20, 1952, Maggie married Tom Ronan, recently graduated from Loyola dental school. They were Southwest side neighbors and had known each other since grade school. That was the end of her airline career; in those days when you were married you were done!
Having bought a dental practice in Highland Park, the newlyweds moved north to start a new life and a family. Theirs grew to five children; Mark 1953 (Judi), Christine 1956, Tom 1961 (Cheryl), Jim 1962 (Marcela), and Kate 1963 (Pete Sizemore). Maggie was very active at Immaculate Conception parish and school, as well as Green Bay Road school. She was known for her outgoing personality and genuine kindness, and was always ready to share a laugh with her friends, family, and neighbors. She remembered the names of all of her children’s classmates, siblings, and parents… For the next 60 years!
On April 22, 1970, Tom had a heart attack and died suddenly. Maggie had five kids, aged 6 to 16, who she referred to as “the fabulous five”. She had to gather her strength and carry-on… That she did and with great courage, strength, and love. She was always grateful for the help of her church, friends, and relatives.
As the years flew by, her happiness grew to see her children marry and welcome 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. They were the heartbeat and joy of her life: Katie, Molly, Joseph, Phoebe, Carla, Claire, Michael, Lucia, Miranda, Faith, Ronan, Desmond, and Rayah. Each of them was blessed to have unconditional love, endless hugs, and lullaby songs. Each of them carries touching stories and memories of a lifetime with Gramma Maggie.
Maggie passed away peacefully at 96 on November 14, 2022 in the presence of loving family. Her faith in God and her love of family is an everlasting gift to us all.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023 with at gathering at 5 PM, memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 6 PM, and a celebration following at the Old St. Patrick Catholic Church, 700 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois. Please RSVP to MarkRonan@comcast.net.
Memorials in Maggie’s name may be made to New Melleray Abbey, 6632 Melleray Circle, Pestoa, Iowa 52068
Services entrusted to O’Riley Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Thank you for the memories, Grammy. Our memories are the greatest treasure … they will forever connect me to you. Every wave, family party, sleepover, heart to heart on the phone, and lullaby. Every gentle touch, every seat upon your lap. Every hooting, hollering laugh, every smile, every “sweetheart” and “darling” you gave me. THANK YOU. Here is a poem for you. And I do… I love you all the way to the MOOOOON! Forever. This is only “bye for now.”
All The Way To The Moon
“Grammy’s coming! Grammy’s coming!”
Little pig tails bobbing up and down.
Candyland and games of cards,
Everything’s better with Grammy around.
Lazy walks on bumpy sidewalks,
Countless trips to the park.
Stop to squish the caterpillars,
Home for snacks before it’s dark.
Sleepovers at Gramma’s house,
Endless treasures to discover.
We dig deep inside her closets,
Old photos and stories to remember.
Record player running,
Family gathered round.
Microwave the butternut squash,
Katie gobbles it down!
One very special memory
In the front seat of Gramma’s car.
Just me and my Gramma,
Singing songs straight from the heart.
Roadtrips to the cabin,
Giggling, Gramma asleep in the back.
Pants rolled up in the lawn chair,
Ready for the next water attack!
“Kate, where’s your undershirt??”
I can just hear her now.
Her screeching, howling laughter
Always stands out in the crowd.
Always there to snuggle up,
On her lap is where I land.
Wrinkly skin, soft as silk,
Trace the veins on her hands.
A child of the Great Depression,
Chugging along as best she can.
Orange juice in her cereal,
The fabulous 5 her favorite clan.
Everyone gets a cheery “hello!”
From this good ol’ South Sider.
She knows the names of all your friends,
There’s nothing that gets by her.
“Kate! My Katie darling!”
are the sweetest words to me.
Her never ending goodbyes,
Waving all the way down the street.
There is no better Grammy
In the whole wide world, it’s true.
I love my Gramma Maggie
Forever — All the way to the moon!
Waving and cheers-ing to the end. She’s doing it up in heaven now ߙϰߏܰߘǰߍ»
Grammy + the Fabulous 5
Easter 1970
Faith and Family … mattered most to Maggie
Cindy and I loved our visits with her, she always shared stories of my mom and dad from there days in St. Rita parish.
We always tipped a glass on our visits, here’s to you Marge!
Slainte
Maggie, you were the best adopted mother-in-law any girl could ask for. You have always been an inspiration to me with your cheerful, optimistic outlook, your interest in all the details of our lives, and the look of love always on your face. You will be missed by so many people, but none more than your beloved family.
Fun in the Northwoods!
Hugs on Earth. Hugs in Heavenߤװߒװߙϰߏ¼
❤️Reunited in Heaven❤️
Margaret Clare Kennedy + Thomas Arthur Ronan
Nothing better than hugs from Grammy!
Aunt Linnie, you’re right – her attention to the details of everyone’s lives and families was one big way she made people feel loved and seen.
It’s like she kept a book of what mattered most to people (in her mind) and remembered it all.
Maggie’s 90th Birthday
Group hug!!! ߒ
Oh how she loved you all…we will never forget how you came to Fr. Johnny’s funeral and helped hold her up with such loving care.
❤️❤️❤️
Grammy started the family tradition of singing & playing special songs to the grandkids for their wedding celebrations. Here’s mine and my husband’s (Matt Fortner) special song❤️
Me and Gramma Maggie❤️
Pokegama Lake memories
Wedding celebrationsߒ•
Ireland
Grammy’s love for those around her will never fade.
So many memories. As you always said, “those were the days!”
Those were certainly the days ߥٰߥ°
I miss you. A lot. I am crying lots of tears because I can’t be with you in person again (for a long while). But they are also tears of gratitude for the time we had together, the endless love and memories we share, and the sense that you are close by, with me always, in a new way. Your love legacy lives on, in all of us. You made us cry, laugh, and gave generously to the very end (of your earthly life). The gift of being with you just before you died is a gift I will cherish forever. I want you back, and I am happy for you, all at the same time. Cheers to you, Grams. You seriously are the coolest gramma EVER!!!!
Auntie Marge was beautiful, extraordinary, funny and one of the most loving woman that I had the pleasure to know! She always made me feel so special through her phone calls, Christmas cards or visits we shared. One of our last visits, my sister Jill Beckmann and I went with my Mom, Carol Beckmann (center) and Auntie Mary Fiocchi ( left in picture). Aunt Marge insisted on having lunch in her apartment ( she ordered chicken salad from downstairs) and Chris and Katie even showed up. We had lots of laughs, while sipping on red wine( 2 buck Chuck) and sharing old Wonder Lake memories at Camp Granada! My dad(Uncle Bill Beckmann) and Uncle Ray Fiocchi spending hours taking boat rides, or pulling us all skiing. And , the meals with 15 kids and 6 adults!
Auntie Marge, I will miss you but I am so happy that you are at peace and finally reunited with Uncle Tom!
Praying for all of you Ronans!
Love ,
Jan Beckmann Springsteen
Loved Maggie! She had such a great spirit, that she shared with all of us. We will miss you.❤️
Maureen
My darling grandma, dad, mom and sister! My Grandma lives on in my heart and memories. I’m constantly surrounded by her with all the great kitchen bits (+ more) Conner and I have.
Such great memories of the Ronan’s, Beckmann’s and Fiocchi’s being together. Loved the tribute Jan!❤️ Debbie
A nice article about my mom, written by a retired newspaper man, during the two years she lived in Oak Park. Thanks to our family historian, our brother Tom.
I love this article. Still amazes me that she lost her job when she married. She just kept chugging along!!
Wow, once you get going, it’s hard to stop! So many memories.