Mary Jean Morro

Mary Jean Morro, age 73, of Thomson, IL, passed away in her home with her family by her side, on March 5, 2025. Her family will celebrate her life in a private way.
Mary was born August 28, 1951, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Harvey and Vivian (Ruskey) Andrews. She attended Chicago public schools and went on to marry Herbert Morro. Together they had three sons.
Mary operated a bar in Chicago for decades, and worked various factory jobs during that time. Following the dissolution of her marriage, Mary was convinced by her mother and sisters to move to the Thomson area, where they had made their home. She started seeing a man named Al Cecil, and together they decided to move across the state. Once Mary witnessed the area for herself, she didn't need much convincing. She felt freed by the open landscape, and the beauty of the Mississippi River Valley.
Here in Thomson, she became manager of the Casey's, and loved playing Bingo and other card games with friends and family. Potters Campground quickly became one of her favorite places, allowing her to experience the wonderful outdoors, especially fishing.
During these times, Mary grew closer than ever, with her sisters and her mother. They referred to themselves as the "golden girls." Self-admittedly, they were a little nutty, but there was never a dull moment! Family meant everything to Mary, and she never missed the Sunday family gatherings; filled with laugh after laugh after laugh.
Mary was fiercely loyal, treating her family as an extension of herself. "Don't mess with my boys" became a mantra of sorts for Mary, exemplifying her devotion to her sons, which also extended to all of her kin.
Mary is survived by two sons, Herbert (Gina Phillips) Morro, of Thomson and Nathan (Jenny) Morro, of Savanna, IL; five grandchildren, Eric Morro, Phoenix Morro, Michael Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and Ashton Morro; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Linda Campion, of Thomson and Melody Talley, of Shannon, IL; a sister-in-law, Barb Andrews; and many nieces and nephews. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Vivian; brother, Harvy Andrews; and son, Eric Morro; and life partner, Al Cecil.