MaryJo "Mary" Koller

MaryJo, "Mary" Koller (nee Greenock), 78, peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Endeavor Hospital (formerly Edward-Elmhurst Hospital) in Naperville. Mary's loving husband James Jr. and adoring son James III ("Jim") stood steadfastly by her side, ensuring she received the best care and were with her as she passed from this life and rejoined the family members who preceded her in death.
Mary was born on February 25, 1948, to the late Mary Lucille (Byrne) and Joseph Paul Greenock, in Chicago, where she was raised with her younger brother, the late Daniel Joseph Greenock. Mary attended Mother of Sorrows High School in Blue Island, Illinois, graduating in 1966, after which she attended Jones Business School. In 1967, Mary began her career with Amoco, where her gregarious personality and exemplary planning, communication and writing skills were key in her public relations and marketing posts at Amoco, where she rose to Executive Secretary. While with Amoco, Mary met her husband James Jr., and they were married December 9, 1972; they recently celebrated their 52nd anniversary. In 1977, Mary retired from her corporate career and devoted her life to her husband, son and grandmother, the late Catherine "Cal" Byrne, and she volunteered with Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville.
Mary had many personal interests and hobbies that she and her family deeply enjoyed. Mary loved to cook Irish, Swedish and German meals including the family favorites, Sauerbraten and Lutfisk. Each year, Mary and James Jr. made their annual batch of Glögg, a Scandinavian hot mulled wine. Having learned sewing as a young girl, Mary was also a seamstress, making beautiful clothing and costumes. But for those who knew Mary best, one thing was clear; she loved to read! Whether a paperback, her Kindle, or iPad, Mary was always reading the latest legal thrillers. During the warmer months, Mary and James Jr enjoyed their Wisconsin cottage, whether shucking corn, gathering milk from the friend's farm across the way, gardening and riding (and sometimes repairing) the 1923 Ford Model T on Old Route B. From her first visit to the cottage forward, Mary jumped right into all things "Wisconsin". In later years, Mary was thrilled to head to Florida to enjoy dinners and cocktails with their many friends, tour the Everglades, golf and enjoy time on the lanai. Global travel was also her passion; she was thrilled to visit Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Panama, and more, bringing home unique treasures from those excursions.
In more recent years, Mary received a kidney transplant through Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in Chicago. Once again, Mary's organizational and communication skills were exemplified in the on-going success of the transplant. However, other maladies and surgeries impaired her overall health. Nonetheless, Mary never complained, but owned her patient advocacy role one that is to be admired.
Mary was a wonderful wife, amazing mother and an overall super person to know. She is deeply missed.
Mary leaves behind her beloved husband, James Jr, son, Jim, and daughter-in-law, Jayme (Richrath), and her "grandpoodles," Lucy and Bonnie.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, 4:00-8:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540. Funeral Service will be held Friday, January 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the funeral home, followed by entombment at Naperville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to support on-going research and advocacy for polycystic kidney disease to: PKD Foundation, P.O. Box 871847, Kansas City, MO 64187 US, or online at https://support.pkdcure.org.