Margaret Ann Gorman

Margaret Ann, aka Peggy, aka "Magella", aka "Margo", and aka Maggie Gorman (Shaw) left us all too soon on the evening of September 2, 2022. While she was known by many names, she was uniformly known for her spirit and strength. Since January 2021, Maggie's strength was evidenced by an unwavering commitment to "live with cancer", accepting there was no cure and minimal odds of remission for duodenal adenocarcinoma. Her physicians and nurses observed her dignity throughout 20 months of treatments, procedures and hospitalizations. While most patients undergo chemotherapy in leisurewear, Maggie insisted on dressing impeccably for each of her 35 treatments at Northwestern Medicine (Chicago) and Mayo Clinic (Scottsdale). She was determined to enter clinic "like she owned the place", a testament to her father, Thomas Llewelyn Shaw.

Her strength and independence, however, was observable at a much younger age. Growing up in an Irish enclave of West Philadelphia, Peggy loved playing in the local woods with all the tougher neighborhood boys, taunting them to catch her. She took several buses every day, in all weather conditions, to attend West Catholic Girls High School. In music class, an astute teacher recognized Peggy's raw talent. Without any previous musical training, she became quickly proficient with the oboe. She ultimately earned the #1 seat in orchestra and performed at the Philadelphia Academy of Music to the admiration of her family. Peggy was one of seven children and understood, at a young age, that there was no "silver cup". She inherited a strong work ethic from her father and mother, Mary Catherine. Tom worked long hours in institutional food service, and Kay earned a degree, later in life, as an LPN, working equally long hours at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Peggy always had a job, starting as a pharmacy clerk in middle school, serving as a waitress in high school, and holding multiple hospitality industry jobs to afford college tuition. During the recession of 1982, Peggy earned a degree from the local technical college as a welder and was hired as one of several women on a 1,000+ trades crew to construct the Fort McHenry Tunnel. For those '80s movie buffs, you might remember Flashdance. With her naturally curly hair, sassy personality, the obtuse might mention these similarities between Peggy and actress Jennifer Beals. Nothing would be more offensive to Peggy and God help the poor soul who mentioned this!

In 1987, Peggy met her future husband, Ken. At the time, Peggy was working as an office manager for a local contractor retained by Ken's development company. Ken quickly recognized Peggy's work ethic, natural intelligence, and people instincts, and hired her as his office manager. It was truly love at first sight for both, and after a lengthy 2-week courtship, Peggy and Ken were engaged. Unfortunately, this is also where the name challenges started. As a startup company, Ken and Maggie both struggled with work-life separation, so they mutually decided Peggy was appropriate for 9 to 5, but Maggie was more appropriate after-hours. Her incredible strength helped Ken overcome professional and personal challenges, and she always supported his dreams. Before relocating from Philadelphia to Chicago in 1991, Maggie had two children, Hannah Mary and Jacob Morris. Maggie was an incredible mother, always placing the needs of her kids above her own. During the recession of 1991, Maggie and Ken ate rice for dinner, on many nights, to ensure their children had baby food and diapers. Maggie's inner strength was truly tested in 1996, when her 3rd child, Evan Patrick, was stillborn just days before her due date. Most women would abandon the idea of another child after this tragedy. Maggie battled this incredibly difficult event, believing her family was not yet complete, and delivered Elliot James in 1997.

Maggie's children are truly her greatest accomplishment and legacy. She was fiercely devoted to each, standing her ground firmly as their "Mama Bear", to any form of disrespect. Maggie also knew, however, that her most important job was to "give each child wings and let them fly". Today, Hannah is married to Tim Ketcher and works passionately as an instore artist for Anthropology in Chicago. Jacob is partnered with Maggie Sinnig and works passionately as a construction manager in San Francisco. Elliot is married to Valerie Scimeca and works passionately as an architect in Milwaukee. Maggie always enjoyed creating, from light painting to home decorating, and was so proud to see each child fulfilling their creative abilities.

Maggie left us in peace, surrounded by her family, to meet our Lord, Evan Patrick, past friends, family, and beloved pets. She is survived by the love of her life, Ken Gorman, Chicago, IL; their three children and partners, Hannah and Tim Ketcher, River Forest, IL; Jacob Gorman and Maggie Sinnig, San Francisco, CA; Elliot and Valerie Gorman, Whitefish Bay, WI; her mother, Mary Catherine Shaw, West Chester, PA; her six siblings and hpartners, Joan and Tom Brown, Newtown PA; Beth and Steve Conjar, West Chester, PA, Tom and Phyllis Shaw, Gap, PA; Aimee Ditomo, West Chester, PA; Bridget Shaw, Newtown Square, PA; Matt and Melissa Shaw, Havertown, PA; her in-laws, Al and Nancy Gorman, Mundelein, IL; Jon Gorman, Chicago, IL; Laura and Troy Linback, Ocala, FL; Alan Scimeca and Shelly Price, Elgin, IL; Yvette Levita and Sean Wilson, Carpentersville, IL, Cliff and Elizabeth Ketcher, Stillwell, OK; 30+ cousins, nieces and nephews; and several beautiful friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to one of Maggie's favorite charities: Women in Need Growing Stronger (domestic violence) www.wingsprogram.com, Northwestern Memorial Foundation (healthcare) www.foundation.nm.org, or Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (children's books) www.imaginationlibrary.com.

Maggie's wishes were to be cremated with a private family ceremony. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life event in downtown Chicago in the next few months. In the words of 2 Timothy 4:78 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

Margaret, aka Peggy, aka 'Magella", aka Margo, aka Maggie - however you were known, we will all miss you so very much.