Rita Marie McGreal, nee Clancy, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2024.
Born on May 24, 1945, in Chicago, IL, Rita was a devoted wife to her loving husband James for 56 years. Together they raised five children: Wendy McGreal (Cheryl Leoni), Brian (Martha) McGreal, Lori McGreal, Matthew McGreal (Colleen Condon), and Johnpaul (Amy) McGreal. She was a cherished grandmother to Megan, Emma, Madison, Allison, Amanda, Camryn, Jack, Joseph, Molly, Ramona, and Patrick; aunt of many nieces and nephews, and great friend to many. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry Patrick Clancy and Elizabeth Anne (Byrne) Clancy, her brother William (Barb) Lichneckert and her sister Elizabeth (Art) Krause as well as her precious infant granddaughter Kayla McGreal.
Rita loved her husband and children deeply and worked hard to provide a good life for them. In the early years of young married life, Rita devoted her life to her children. She could be found patiently playing with them, baking with them (often irish soda bread), and as a passionate reader, always reading to them. Rita made every holiday and birthday special for her family, a tradition still carried on by each of her children today. Rita transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to working at Jewel for many years. She subsequently worked in the library at Elmhurst College (now University), which enabled her to provide a college education for her children and where she received her own college degree. She went on to earn her Masters degree in Library Science, propelling her career to heading the information centers for financial services firms, Van Kampen Investments and McDonnell Investments. Post retirement, she volunteered at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital’s Pink Elephant Shop.
Rita was a devout Catholic, who sent her children to Visitation Catholic School and always attended Mass on Sundays, followed by a trip to Dunkin Donuts. Rita devoted a good part of her life to Visitation. She was involved with the Council of Catholic Women, was an eucharistic minister and an adorer at Visitation’s Adoration Chapel. Some of her fondest memories were times spent with friends and family at Big Sand Lake in Wisconsin. In Elmhurst, Rita could often be found on her beloved deck overlooking Butterfield Park with a cup of tea reading, doing crossword puzzles, or watching the many little league baseball games. Rita’s gentle ways, love for her family, and blue Irish eyes, always smiling, will forever be missed.
A visitation was held on Tuesday, February 27 at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL, 567 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst. A funeral mass was held at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 S. York St., Elmhurst on Wednesday, February 28. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visitation Parish Adoration Chapel.
Arrangements in care of Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL. For info, (630) 834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFH.com.
