Mary K. Lennon

1936 - 2021

Mary Kathleen "Kay" Lennon. Born June 6, 1936. Daughter of the late Michael and Mary (nee Crowe) Lennon, who were born in Ireland and emigrated to America in the 1920's, where they met and married on the south side of Chicago and raised ten children in Visitation parish. Kay was the first child and loving sister of Michael Jr. (Maureen), Timothy (Kathleen), Nancy (Frank) Schaefer, James (Connie), Jean (Patrick) Johnson, Geraldine (the late William) Gainer, Kevin (Lynn), Patricia (Marvin) Bates, and the late Christine (Robert) Churchill. Kay was the first college graduate in the Lennon family, earning her B.A. and M.A. from DePaul University. In her earliest school years, she established a high level of scholarship that would guide her brothers and sisters in their continued education to pursue a wide range of careers in business, education, public service, government, and the arts. This pioneering spirit is Kay's legacy and is further reflected now in the second and third generations of the family. She loved travel, visiting Europe, the U.S., and South America. She was a long-time resident of New York and Boston before retiring and returning to Chicago, where she was very active in family affairs. Kay was the beloved aunt of 30 nieces and nephews and great aunt of many more, with whom she hosted an annual Christmas gathering. Her generosity to her large extended family was continuous. Visitation Friday 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Donnellan Funeral Home 10525 S. Western Ave. Chicago. Funeral Saturday, Family and friends will meet directly at Christ the King Church 9235 S. Hamilton Ave. Chicago for Mass at 12:00 Noon. Kay will be buried alongside her parents at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the support of the scholarship fund that has been established for the education of children at Visitation School 900 W. Garfield Blvd. Chicago, IL 60609 and directed to the Michael and Mary Lennon Family Scholarship Fund. Info (773) 238-0075 or sign guestbook at www.donnellanfuneralhome.com