Mary Sharon Reilly

Mary Sharon Reilly – a lifelong educator, tireless union advocate, proud Irish American, and dedicated public servant – passed away at the age of 83 after a life marked by service, strength, and steadfast commitment to family, education, and community.

Born on January 14, 1942, she lived in South Austin until she was four and then moved to Northwest Austin on Chicago's West Side. She moved to Des Plaines in 1975 before settling in Park Ridge, where she pent the past 45 years. She was the beloved daughter of John and Rita, née Fleming, Reilly. John worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in an essential wartime role, while her mother left her position at the City of Chicago's Corporation Counsel's office to raise their family.

Mary Sharon's early years were marked by both great joy and profound loss. Deeply adored in childhood, her world changed when her mother passed away when she was just 12, leaving her to help care for her younger brother, John, who was only three. With help from her aunts and extended family, she stepped into a caregiving role, tending not only to her brother, but also to her father, managing the household until his passing. She developed a deep sense of responsibility, quiet strength, and practical wisdom – qualities that would define her life.

Family remained at the center of her wold throughout her life and she cherished her relationships, both near and far and maintained close connections with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her remarkable memory allowed her to recall names, details, and family histories with precision. She loved her nephews, Matthew and Peter, as if they were her sons and found great joy in sharing in their lives.

Educated in Catholic schools, Mary Sharon graduated from Saint Angela School and Siena High School. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in English from Mundelein College and a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola University Chicago. She began her career as a Catholic school teacher before joining the Chicago Public Schools in 1965, where she served at Orr Elementary and Piccolo. Later, as a guidance counselor and adjustment teacher/counselor, she positively impacted thousands of students throughout a three-decade career.

A fierce advocate for her fellow educators, she served as a union delegate and as a Trustee and President of the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund (CTPF). The longest-serving elected Trustee in the history of the Fund, she was elected 13 times and served a total of 28.6 years, including 11 years as an active teacher and 17.5 years as a retiree. She demonstrated unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility, access to high-quality health insurance, sound investment practices, and fiduciary integrity. She held leadership positions, including President for 9 years, Vice President, and Financial Secretary, and chaired several committees – Finance and Audit, Personnel, Return-to-Work, Investment, and Disability. She saw herself as a partner to staff and a servant leader to her colleagues, always an advocate for compromise and the middle ground.

Mary Sharon's legacy extends beyond boardrooms and classrooms. A devout Catholic and parishioner at Mary, Seat of Wisdom in Park Ridge, she served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Minister of Care. Her appreciation for her Catholic education was reciprocated in her service to Mundelein College and Loyola University, where she served as a Board member and President of the Mundelein Alumnae Association for many years. She served for many years as a director of the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago and as a Vice President of the CTU retiree unit. Her warmth, leadership, and pragmatic wisdom left a lasting impression on every community she touched. She was a mentor to younger teachers, a connector of generations within her parish, and a trusted voice in support of public education. She modeled a life of selfless public service and deep-rooted community connection.

Mary Sharon held a real estate broker's license for more than 50 years, and she helped friends and family purchase a first home or move to a new community. Her love of travel took her across the globe – from visiting family in Ireland to pilgrimages in Israel, Spain, and Italy – often accompanied by loved ones or fellow parishioners. She was intensely proud of her Irish heritage and found joy in sharing stories, meals, and laughter with friends and family. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 36, the first of many health challenges throughout her life, she faced them all with courage and dignity, never allowing them to limit her ability to live life on her terms.

Mary Sharon's legacy is defined not only by her personal or professional achievements, but also by her fierce independence, Irish wit, and unwavering compassion. Her faith, family, and service to others were the cornerstones of a life well-lived. She lived with grace, grit, and steadfast purpose. May she rest in peace, and may her legacy of advocacy and service continue to inspire generations to come.

Preceded in death by her parents, John and Rita, née Fleming, Reilly, and by many beloved aunts, uncles, and extended family members, she is survived by her brother, John (Sandy) Reilly; her nephews Matthew (Stephanie) Reilly and Peter Reilly; her beloved great-nephew Marshall Reilly, and many cousins. She also leaves behind dear friends, former colleagues, and generations of educators and students whose lives she touched with her wisdom and warmth.

Visitation, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass, 10: 30 a.m. at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church, 920 Granville Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleums, Hillside, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mary, Seat of Wisdom or a charity of your choice.

Funeral information, please call (847) 823-1171 or visit ryan-parke.com