Mary Gruenheck Shea OBITUARY

Mary Gruenheck Shea OBITUARY

Mary Gruenheck Shea was born Oct 8, 1941 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She is predeceased by her parents, John Felix Gruenheck and Mildred Eads Gruenheck, her sisters Martha Kelly and Katharine Weinberg, and her husband Charles M. Shea.

Mary graduated in 1966 from Catholic University in Washington D.C with a BA and MSW. There, she met Charlie, a young lawyer whose career brought them to Chicago where she served as a social worker in Cabrini Green.

The couple resided in Lincoln Park where she was an active leader in the Old Town Art Fair. Mary served as a docent for 40 years at the Oriental Institute (ISAC) at University of Chicago and achieved an MA.

Mary was a member of the University of Chicago Women’s Board, The Fortnightly of Chicago, and The Arts Club of Chicago. Mary was active at the Art Institute of Chicago as a member of The Textile Society, the Classical Art Society and The Asian Arts Council.

Mary is survived by her sisters Susan Taponier, Kristine Porter and Ruth Singer (John), her children Maura, Charles and Julia (Nathan) Hilmer, her nieces and nephews, and her three adoring grandchildren.

A devoted mother, aunt, grandmother and friend to many, she will be deeply missed.

A memorial celebration will be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, memorials and blood donations may be made in her honor to Kellogg Cancer Center at Endeavor. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847)675-1990.