Name: Visitation for Elizabeth Kiefer
Start: 2018-04-03T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-04-04T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Donnellan Family Funeral Services

Elizabeth Kiefer, nee Sheehan, 91, of Glenview, our kindest and most gracious mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt, friend and "mom" to so many, passed away peacefully March 29, 2018 at her home where she proudly lived independently with her golden retrievers.Our mom was the epitome of grace and beauty, patience and understanding, and lived her life as a woman of faith and as an example of how to treat others with kindness. She loved flowers, fashion, fitness, the Cubs, and most of all, her family. A Master Gardener, Elizabeth loved being a 25 year member and volunteer of the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Lake Geneva Garden Club. She had the greenest thumb and could grow anything from start. She was also a member of the Illinois Club for Catholic Women and the Lake Geneva Yacht Club. Devoted wife of the late George Henry Kiefer, Jr. for 56 wonderful years; loving mother of Martha (Richard) Cucco, Marianne (Timothy) Bestler, George III (Paloma) and John Kiefer, proud grandmother of Emily (Chris) Mulka and Laura (John) Palmer, and Alison and Natalie Bestler, and great grandmother to Antoinette "Annie" Elizabeth Mulka. Originally from Springfield, Illinois, daughter of Patrick and Martha Sheehan, she was preceded in death by her parents, sister Rosemary (John) Sullivan, brothers William P. (Margaret) Sheehan, and Jack Sheehan; and was the most loving aunt of Anne (Larry) Antonacci, Patrick (Carla) Sheehan, William Sheehan, Michael Sheehan, Timothy (Mary Jo) Sheehan and many wonderful great nieces and great nephews. Visitation Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Boulevard, at Old Orchard Road, Skokie. Please meet at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, 7033 North Moselle Avenue, Chicago, IL 60646 for Mass of Christian Burial, on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Aidan O'Boyle officiating. Interment private, All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 (chicagobotanicgarden.org) or Open Arms Free Clinic, 205 Commerce Court, Elkhorn, WI 53121(openarmsfreeclinic.org). Info: www.donnellanfuneral.com or (847) 675-1990.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Apr. 1, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Kiefer

23 Entries

Sonette Tippens

March 23, 2020

She was easy to love and impossible to forget.

Roger and Rachel Lyon

April 13, 2018

We are sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a great lady. Both your parents will always be an important part of our Lake Geneva experience. We are fortunate to have known them. We will miss them.

Brien Comerford

April 10, 2018

Mrs. Kiefer was a wonderful, compassionate and thoughtful human being. A tremendous mother who raised intelligent, talented and refined children. An amazing wife. One of my late Mother's most dedicated, cherished and benevolent friends. A beloved member of the Edgebrook community. A kind soul with a heart of gold ! It was an honor to know her. She will ascend into God's celestial kingdom. God bless the Kiefer family.

big love to our friend John

Tery Lockitski

April 9, 2018

Hi John - My deepest condolences to you and your family. I know that your mother meant a lot to you. I hope you can find solace in the happiness she brought you and the wonderful legacy she's left in you - your happiness and health in life is her legacy. Hope to see you soon - please don't be a stranger.

Mike & Diane Sherin

April 5, 2018

We join many others in extending our sincere condolences to your family. She was a very special lady and we are thankful to have known her.

BJ & Francis Sung

April 5, 2018

John, all of us at Fish on Fire will miss her so much. Elizabeth was always kind and full of love & grace all the time. It is good to know that she is in Heaven with Jesus and someday we will all be reunited up there. May Gods Grace and love be with your family always!!

Mary Jevitt

April 4, 2018

My love, prayers, and heart go out to all of you. She was an absolutely wonderful woman who raised incredible children. She had a wonderful, long life, but it's still a huge loss. Hugs to you all.

April 4, 2018

Dear Martha, Richard,& family,

Our sincere sympathy to you. May your Mom rest in peace!

Liz & John Zulaski LGLO

Bill Clair

April 3, 2018

George so sorry for your loss. The Clair family will keep your family in our prayers during these difficult times

Judith Weeks

Sent Flowers

Donna Brown

April 2, 2018

Absolutely love the picture you chose! Grace, kindness, a quiet strength...that was Elizabeth. and always a smile on her face. She will be missed by many!

Bill Stevenson

April 2, 2018

Mrs. Kiefer was blessed with a heart of gold and brought a smile to every one she came in contact with. She truly was a special woman filled with love and kindness.

Martin & Hilary Ford

April 2, 2018

Betty Ann and George were the most welcoming of sailing friends when we came to this country. Their comradeship, together with that of their family, was and remains such a blessing to us. We shall forever be grateful to them. Martin & Hilary Ford

Steven Lyon

April 1, 2018

I enjoyed seeing Mrs. Kiefer recently at the LGYC! As always, she had a genuine, warm, interested, and inviting smile and persona. Great lady!

Jana Cain

April 1, 2018

So many wonderful memories for me of Mrs. Kiefer! She welcomed me into the Kiefer family and home, with always a sincere smile that was full of grace and joy. She supported all of the sailing kids with genuine interest and excitement. It was an absolute pleasure to know Mrs. Kiefer.

Eileen Pillman Hoagland

March 31, 2018

Heaven is surely blessed with a very special beautiful loving soul. We were equally blessed just by knowing her. God bless.

Susie Pegel

March 31, 2018

So many great memories in Edgebrook/Wildwood and at the lake. Gee Betty Ann!!

Janice Lyon

March 31, 2018

Mrs. Kiefer leaves a legacy of very special offspring who are talented, bright, kind, loving, giving of themselves. The Edward and Valerie Lyon families will remember her when we have the pleasure to interact with each of them, in and around Fontana and Chicagoland hopefully, for many years in the future.

March 31, 2018

This beautiful Irish woman from Springfield is a grace to family and to all of us in the Archdiocese of Chicago. What a model of joy and fidelity! With prayer and deep affection, Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P.

Eileen Craddock Richardson

March 31, 2018

To our very close friend John Kiefer and his family, we wish you peace and comfort during this very trying time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your most gracious and loving mother be welcomed into our Lord's embrace to be reunited with her husband and all those who have gone to their rest in God's love. May she be at peace and remain in your hearts through all your loving memories. And may she watch over you and your family as the guardian angel she has always been.
God bless. AMDG
With heartfelt love,
Eileen & Tim Richardson

March 31, 2018

Her time with family and friends was her great and loving gift to all of us. Sonette

David Hovde

March 30, 2018

My condolences to the entire family. I can only hope that the wonderful and loving memories of your mother (grandmother, aunt) will provide some measure of warm comfort to all.

Lynda Trester

March 30, 2018

Please accept my deepest sympathy. God give all of you strength during this very sad time. You are in my prayers.

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