Barbara E. McCann

1935 - 2017

McCann, Barbara E. (Nee Schmoll) Died on April 26, 2017, at St. Camillus Assisted Living. She was born on September 26, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, the first child of John H. and Helen (Nee Swiech) Schmoll. She is survived by her husband, the former Milwaukee County District Attorney, E. Michael McCann, whom she married on October 16, 1970, her daughter, Sarah M. McCann, her son, Michael E. (Jennifer) McCann, and grandchildren, Alexandra and Katherine. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Schmoll, but survived by his wife, Peggy, and nephew, Timothy (Jennifer) Schmoll, niece, Carri (Robert) Vick, and their children, Amanda, Zach, and Abbey Vick. She was close to her sister-in-law, Mary Evelyn Mullooly, who pre-deceased her. Barbara graduated from Chicago's Farragut High School in 1952 and entered the Marquette University School of Journalism at the age of 16. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism in 1956 and worked for the Kalmbach Publishing Co. and Channel 12 as a news writer before joining the Milwaukee Journal in 1959. There, she was a society reporter and then society editor before beginning general news reporting in 1963. From 1963 until 1971, Barbara reported on a variety of issues and persons including welfare, the federal anti-poverty program, the NAACP Youth Council, open housing marches, and Fr. James Groppi. In 1964, she traveled with the Milwaukee Journal news team covering the Republican National Convention in San Francisco and the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City. She brought to her work a strong sense of racial and economic justice reinforced by a solid commitment to her Catholic Faith. Desirous of starting a family, she resigned from full-time reporting in 1971 but continued to write occasional stories and served for several years as a children's book editor. In 1990, she joined the staff of the Pius XI High School communications team and created the Pius XI Holiday Peace Market. On her retirement in 2000, the school established the Barbara E. McCann Award and presents it annually to a graduating senior who exemplifies service in the community to persons in need. Barbara served on several non-profit boards including Notre Dame Middle School, Nativity Jesuit Middle School, Pius XI High School, Catholic Social Services, Sojourner Truth and the Catholic Herald Advisory Board. She also served on the Gesu Parish Council and was part of the team that journeyed to Haiti to establish a twinning relationship with St. Jude Parish in Mon Opital. In 2000, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee awarded Barbara the Vatican II Award for Excellence in Communications. In the last years of her life, Barbara walked the Alzheimer's journey. By God's good grace, she retained a gentle spirit and remained a joy to her husband and children. In the early hours of Wednesday, April 26, with family members present, she quietly passed into the arms of the Lord. The family is grateful for the kindness and affection extended to Barbara by Denise, Mona, Melissa, and the many other compassionate nurses, aides, and other staff members at St. Camillus Assisted Living. There will be a visitation on Monday, May 1, from 9AM until 11AM with a funeral Mass at 11AM at the San Camillo Chapel (10200 W. Bluemound Road) in Wauwatosa, WI. Burial will take place at 2PM at Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee. Memorials in Barbara's name may be made to Marquette University, Gesu Parish, Pius XI High School, the St. Camillus Foundation, or the charity of your choice.