
Obituary of Mary Jane M. Ridgeway
Mary Jane M. Ridgeway (née Ryan), age 93, of Libertyville, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on January 24, 2025.
Born and raised in Chicago to Benjamin and Mary Ryan, Mary Jane always considered herself a city girl. She graduated with honors from Immaculata Catholic Girls High School in Chicago and was proud of working as an Executive Secretary before finding her true calling of becoming a mother to nine children. As a part of the “Greatest Generation," she overcame scarlet fever, witnessed her brothers bravely serve in World War II and was impacted by the great depression. Through it all Mary Jane built a spirit of positivity and joy for her outlook to life.
Her friends and family know that she never had an unkind word to say and never complained during the many health challenges she faced. She had a remarkable ability to offer comfort and support, always knowing just what to say to bring peace to those around her. While she had a fondness for sweets, her greatest love was for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling later in life and was able to visit Ireland and meet distant relatives, but Chicago was always in her heart, and she enjoyed taking trips to the city and especially being near Lake Michigan. A woman of strong Catholic faith, Mary Jane found strength and guidance in her beliefs, especially during the heartbreaking loss of two of her children. She brought immeasurable joy to the world and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Mary Jane is survived by her children Mary, William, Patricia, Janet, John (Lori), Catherine (David Sr.), Anne (Rick); her daughter-in-law Margaret, son-in-law Bob; her grandchildren William, Caitlin, Robert, Phillip, Casandra, Austin, David Jr., Jacob, Chase, and Ryan; her great-grandchildren Patrick and Parker and many loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her children Richard and Robert and her brothers John, Robert, and Eugene.
Visitation for Mary Jane will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday Jan 30th at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 101 Park Pl, Libertyville. Funeral Mass will be at 10: 30 AM on Friday Jan 31st at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 121 E Maple Ave., Libertyville. Interment All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines. In lieu of flowers memorials made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org/ or Mercy Home for Boys and Girls www.mercyhome.org/ would be greatly appreciated. Funeral info (847) 362-2626. Please sign the guestbook at libertyvillefuneralhome.com
The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed via this LINK
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