Faith K. McNamara

Faith K. McNamara (nee Kilburg), a friend and teacher to all, passed away peacefully at age 95 on Dec. 11, 2025, surrounded by family and love. Devoted wife of the late Robert E. McNamara. Cherished mother and best friend of Elisabeth (Timothy) Reed, Claudia McNamara (David Lawder) and the late Martha McNamara. Devoted daughter of the late Harold and Loretto Kilburg. Loving sister of the late Barbara (the late Donald) Destry, and the late William (Judy) Kilburg. Fond aunt and great-aunt of many nieces and nephews. Dear friend of the late Kathy Sedlack, her faithful walking companion, and so many others.
Faith lived in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood for most of her life, which she dedicated to continuous learning as a Chicago Public Schools teacher, avid book club member, arts patron, home cook, and devoted parishioner of St. Barnabas Catholic Church. She graduated from the parish's school in 1944 before attending Academy of Our Lady, St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana and the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a master's degree. Faith traveled the globe, but her favorite, annual destinations were Manhattan and Wisconsin's North Woods.
Visitation Friday, December 19th at St. Barnabas Church, 10134 S. Longwood Dr, Chicago from 9:00 am until 10:45 am followed by Mass at 11:00 am. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Barnabas, https://www.stbarnabasparish.org/, Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus Parish, 9830 S. Vincennes Avenue, Chicago, https://www.smmlparish.org/, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://StJude.org, or WTTW Chicago Public Television, https://www.wttw.com/support. Or, as Faith would often say, take a friend to lunch and enjoy the moment.
Arrangements entrusted to Donnellan/O'Donnell-Bartz-Schultz Funeral Home. For info (773) 238-0075 or sign guestbook at www.donnellanfuneralhome.com.