Mary D. Eastman, of Elmhurst, passed away recently at the age of 99. Beloved daughter of the late Frank and Anne Dunham; loving wife of the late Lloyd; loving mother of Patrick (Kaaren) Eastman and the late Mary Sue (survived by Donald) McCallum; proud grandmother of Malcolm (Jamie) McCallum, Roxanne (Kent) Hadraba, Donald (Sarah) McCallum, Heather (Mike) Davis, Angus (Ashley) McCallum, Sherree McCallum, Joseph (Renee) McCallum, Justin (Alyssa) Eastman, Melissa (Aaron) Dugan and Dana Eastman; honored great grandmother of Brandon Ahne, Loren McFalls, Joey McCallum, Matthew McCallum, Mayzie McCallum, Hannah Hadraba, Bradley McCallum, Halley McCallum, Amanda Hadraba, Raine McCallum, Alice McCallum, Max McCallum and Olivia Dugan; dear sister of the late Ann Whitcomb.
Mary took the Civil Service exam at the beginning of WWII and began working for the U.S. Veterans Administration for the duration of the War. While in D.C., she had met Lloyd Eastman who she married. Lloyd had been sent back to the states after being the lone survivor of a ship that was blown up at D-Day).
After the war, they relocated to Elmhurst. Mary was employed by Argonne National Laboratory for the next 20 years, working in the Reactor Engineering Division and, over that time, they were working on the Naval Reactor Project which spawned the Atomic Submarine “Nautilus. During that time, she had the pleasure of meeting speaking with Admiral Rickover “the Father of the Atomic Navy.”
During her time in Elmhurst, Mary served in several different capacities: President of the Elmhurst Evening Women’s Club twice; President of the 5th District General Federation of Women’s Clubs; and, President of Woman Leaders for Traffic Safety and the Elmhurst Safety Council. In the 1990s, she was President of the Elmhurst Chapter of AARP; President of Elmhurst Travel Club; and, President of Visitation Seniors. In May of 2016 Mary received “The Community Service Award” (Lifetime Achievement Award) from the City of Elmhurst for volunteerism over the five decades of service to the area and community.
As well, Mary sang in the Visitation Catholic Church Choir until her mid-90s. Funeral service was held at Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 S. Spring Rd., Elmhurst on Saturday, November 23, 2019. Private Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated for the General Federation of Women’s Club, 1734 N. Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-2990 (gfwc.org)
Info 630-834-3515 or visit ahlgrim.com.
