Josephine A. Egan

Death of the End Cap Queen

Josephine A. Egan ("Josie" Conran) left our earthly world and was surely welcomed at the gates of Heaven by relatives and friends as St. Peter flung them open wide for all she endured during her 87 years of life.

Known by many as the "Queen of the End Caps" in stores from Chicago's Grand and Ogden to Plainfield, she still warehoused original packed products with Zayre and Venture price tags.

She never met a sale she didn't love.

Beloved wife of Thomas "Ace" Egan, whose Korean War efforts included the GI morale boosting smuggling of Canadian Club Whiskey to the 38th Parallel - which have still gone unrecognized by the US Air Force.

Darling mother to Thomas, Terrance and Timothy. Grandmother and Great-Grandmother to many.

Daughter of Thomas Conran, an Irish patriot and horseshoe hustler, and Lena (Lakes), a mischievous Grandmother who taught dirty nursery rhymes that caused chaos with the nuns at Mary Queen of Heaven grammar school in Cicero.

Sister to Agnes (one ring) and Bernie (two rings) who cheated AT&T out of call-pack fees for years. Also sister to Marie and brothers Thomas and Patrick.

Youngest sister Kathleen, an AARP member for decades, was a dedicated caretaker while "Josie" was in home hospice.... until the pressures of nursing and Illinois taxes drove her to Tennessee and membership in questionable "social" societies.

Aunt to many, including Democrats and Republicans who constantly bicker on Facebook.

A graduate of St. Columbkille High School in Chicago and longtime payroll clerk at National Castings in Cicero.

A constant cook for her family whose spice rack consisted of butter and salt and whose tea had so much sugar and milk spoons stood straight up.

Chauffeur to schools, thousands of basketball games, doctor and dentist appointments and to and from Just One More (a renowned social service agency lead by a Polish jokester named Laddie).

Dancer of dances, singer of songs, enjoyer of the Water of Life, lover of all things Irish.

Made a meal, a bed and a warm welcome for all and hosted parties that lasted for days with questionable characters who just wouldn't leave.

A fearless protector and enforcer who would slap a cigarette out of James Cagney's mouth if needed.

She loved M*A*S*H, John Wayne, Dean Martin, crossword puzzles and using her middle finger to voice displeasure.

Her pleading desire to live in her own home until she passed, after an historic hold out waiting for her lottery numbers to come in, was honored by those who loved her most.

Her birthday 2.7.36 would have been highlighted by the annual call by Tom Novotny, who never missed the tradition.

Burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery will be private. So private son Timothy was not invited.

Fr. Scott Donahue, Mercy Home, will officiate a memorial mass in May when her beloved grandson Wedge Donovan Egan returns from Dublin.

An Irish Celebration of Life will follow the mass. The first round will be on Josie if the strange lawyer who never met Josie cuts a check by then.

Please email: theeganboys@gmail.com to be added to the Celebration of Life.