Virginia Boyles Lawless and Paul Francis Lawless

Ginny Lawless, 81, and Paul Lawless, 86, of Glencoe, IL passed away just eleven weeks apart. They are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on April 4th, together again. Ginny and Paul are survived by their 3 children, Caroline Friedman (Dale Swanson), Paul B Lawless II (Michaela Cudahy) and Charles B Lawless (Jennifer Lawless). They were grandparents of 7 and great-grandparents of 2, affectionately known as Grandmere and Grandpa.

Ginny Lawless passed away on January 13th at home. She was born on February 24, 1942, in St. Louis, MO, to the late Virginia Hannefin Boyles and Charles M. Boyles, Sr. She was preceded in death by her sister, Melissa Bennetts and survived by her siblings Charles Boyles (Nicole), Nancy Boyles, Madelon Boyles, John Boyles (Linda) and 12 Boyles nieces and nephews. Ginny was laid to rest in a private burial service in White Hall, IL.

The oldest of 6 children she attended Marywood High School in Evanston, IL. She studied at Northern Illinois University and the Sorbonne, in Paris. Returning home from Paris, she transferred to the University of Illinois where she met her husband of 60 years, Paul. She held a BA in English and French.

She had a love of the stars and astronomy and would wake her children up to watch meteor showers at Glencoe beach. St Patrick's Day and the 1st snow of the season were not school days. She was a supporter of Scouting being a Girl Scout leader for years and then ensuring her sons both became Eagle Scouts. Her grandchildren never left the house hungry. She enjoyed after school pickups and conversations with them. If you were lucky, she might have her famous cheesecake or mac and cheese for you. From Eleanor Roosevelt to Napolean Bonaparte to the movie Gigi, she had a quote for every occasion and need. Professionally, she was a VP, Personal Banking at the Northern Trust Co in Winnetka and a Portfolio Administrator on the Lawless team at Mesirow Financial in Chicago.

Paul Lawless passed away on March 30th unexpectedly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Byron Lawless and Margarette Sullivan Lawless as well as his sister Patricia Lawless Krask (Robert). He is survived by his older brother Joseph Lawless (Carol) and younger brother Tom Lawless and 6 Lawless family nieces and nephews. Paul was born in Chicago on July 27th, 1937. He grew up in LaGrange, IL and attended Lyons Township High School. Right after high school he joined the army and was stationed at the Herzo Base in Nurenberg Germany for three years. Sargent Lawless's nickname was Smokey and his job on base was deciphering intelligence code. After leaving the Army, Paul attended St. Joseph's college in Indiana prior to transferring to University of Illinois where he earned a B.S. and a Masters degree in Finance. He was a CPA and had a successful career in estate planning, spending many years at the Harris Bank in Chicago in Trust New Business where he was a mentor to many. He had a quick wit, an unrivaled sense of humor, was a master cook and enjoyed gardening. Paul loved playing guitar and singing to Ginny. He sang one of her favorite songs to her at her funeral, My Sweet Gypsy Rose. He and Ginny traveled extensively and developed many friendships with those they met abroad. Paul was an avid collector of historical memorabilia from both WWI and WW2. He will be laid to rest in a private burial service in White Hall, IL.

The Lawless family would like to extend its gratitude to the Glencoe Public Safety Family Cares team and Journey Care hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions in their memory can be made to the Alliance Francaise of Chicago or Homes For Our Troops organization. A celebration of Ginny and Paul's lives will be held May 19th from 4pm-7pm at the Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette, IL

Nous vous aimons toujours, Grandmere and Grandpa