Mary Lou McIlrath

Mary Lou McIlrath, nee Downs, age 84, of Park Ridge, IL, died January 16, 2002 in her home. She was born in Burlington, IA on October 8, 1917, she earned her B.S. degree at Iowa State University and was a home economics teacher for a brief period. In the early sixties, along with her former husband, James McIlrath, she helped to found the Dry Storage Corporation in Chicago, which later grew to become DSC Logistics in Des Plaines, IL. A resident of Park Ridge for over fifty years, she was active in her community, particularly the Girl Scouts, Chi Omega Alumnae, the First United Methodist Church, Park Ridge Panhellenic Club and P.E.O. She established the Mary Lou Downs Foundation with a special focus on homeless suburban women and children and victims of family violence. She was the beloved mother of Ann (John H. II ) Drake of Chicago; cherished grandmother of Tracy Drake Koerner of Chicago and Joanna Drake Earl of San Francisco, CA; great-grandmother of Nicole Emily Koerner; also survived by her beloved sister Dorothy Hughes of Fresno, CA; she was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Allan Downs and Ethel Cilley Downs of Wapello, IA. Interment will be private. A Memorial Service to celebrate Mary Lou's life held on Monday, February 11, 2002, 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge, 418 W. Touhy, Park Ridge, IL (847-825-3144). Remembrances may be made to Wings Program, Inc., 887 Wilmette Rd., Suite E2, Palatine, IL 60074 (847-963-8910).