Obituary lovingly written by her family:

Mary Elizabeth Forde (nee Durkan) passed away peacefully on December 18, 2023, in the comfort of her own home with family by her side.

She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 58 years, Patrick Forde, and was the loving mother to Ann (Charles) Chapple, Brian (Sandra) Forde and Therese Forde; dear grandmother "Nana" to Sean and Caitlyn Chapple and Peyton Forde.

Born November 8, 1941, to the late James and Delia Durkan. She is survived by her eight siblings: Patrick (Late Bridie) Durkan, Kathleen (Late Ed) Woods, Bridie (Packie) O'Donnell, James (Kathleen) Durkan, Martin (Late Sheila) Durkan, Michael (Mary) Durkan, Margaret Durkan, and Anne Durkan as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a Great Aunt to many.

Mary was born and raised in CastleBarnagh, Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland, and moved to Chicago at the young age of 17 years old. She worked several office jobs in Chicago at Quaker Oats and International Harvester. To support her love of fashion, she worked at Madigan's Department Store in the evenings and weekends. Mary met her husband Patrick at an Irish Dance Hall in 1962; they married on September 11th, 1965, at Mary Queen of Heaven in Cicero. Three years later they moved to Lombard, Illinois, where they raised their family and lived for 38 years. Mary had a strong faith and was an active parishioner at Christ the King Church and school as well as Montini Catholic High School where she spent countless hours volunteering.

Mary had a passion for gardening in their big backyard and sewing clothes for the kids. She enjoyed shopping and loved going to Oakbrook Center on a beautiful day where she would never say no to lunch with a pina colada. She found joy in being around family and friends, whether hosting Super Bowl parties or holidays, to dinners out with Patrick on Friday nights. Mary always welcomed people into their home whether for a meal, a cup of tea, a glass of wine, or even a place to stay. She worked for several years at Carson Pierre Scott and was often caught jumping on luggage to show customers how durable it was. Some of her best memories included going to Michigan with Patrick for over 30 years. Together they spent countless hours on the beach and at their cottage surrounded by family and friends.

Mary was soft-spoken, kind, gentle, and had a witty sense of humor. Her pride and joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. She suffered many degenerative health issues throughout the years including retinitis pigmentosa which eventually resulted in full blindness. She never complained despite the challenges she endured.

They moved to Oswego, Illinois in 2006 to be close to family. There they joined St Anne Catholic Church and spent time watching their grandkids grow up. Her most fervent advice was to get as much education as possible and the most precious gift you can give someone is your time.

Visitation Services will be held from 9:00-10:30 AM, Tuesday December 26, 2023 at Dunn Family Funeral Home, 1801 South Douglas Road Oswego, IL 60543, followed by 11:00 AM Mass at St Anne Catholic Church 551 Boulder Hill Oswego, IL. Interment at Risen Lord Cemetery 1501 Simons Rd, Oswego, IL 60543.

Info: www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com or 630-554-8484

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be sent to https://matthiasacademy.org/donation/ in memory of Mary.