Phyllis V. O'Shaughnessy

Phyllis V. O'Shaughnessy (née Hampton), age 88, a longtime resident of Naperville, IL, formerly of Riverdale, IL, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital in Evanston, IL. She was born on October 20, 1937, in Evergreen Park, IL.
Beloved wife of the late James M. "Mick" O'Shaughnessy, Sr., whom she married September 14, 1963, and who preceded her in death on November 26, 1996; loving mother of James (Zaneta) O'Shaughnessy, Jr. of Lisle, IL, Beth O'Shaughnessy Kane of Evanston, IL, the late Brian MacLean O'Shaughnessy (infant), and Tris (Greg Stripp) O'Shaughnessy of Evanston, IL; adored grandmother of Allen (Donna) Davis-O'Shaughnessy and James (Ava) Davis-O'Shaughnessy, Grace (Peter) Choinski, Michael J. "Mickey" Kane, Jr., and Kevin P. Kane, and Semilla Besada O'Shaughnessy Stripp; cherished great-grandmother of Matthew and Lila; devoted daughter of the late Harry and Elizabeth "Babe" (née Sheridan) Hampton; daughter-in-law of the late Thomas and Kathleen (née Ward) O'Shaughnessy; dear sister of the late Geraldine Jacobs, the late Harry Hampton, Jr., the late James Hampton, Thomas Hampton, and Brian Hampton; and the fond sister-in-law, mother-in-law, cousin, aunt, and friend of many.
Phyllis grew up on the South Side, with roots in Dolton-proud home of Pope Leo-and Riverdale, IL. She was sweet, a bit of a spitfire, and never shy about speaking her mind. In her senior year, her Mercy High School faculty and classmates nominated her for the Chicago Tribune senior of the year – much to the chagrin of the Sisters of Mercy.
Phyllis attended DePaul University where she worked for eight years at the bookstore and registrar's office to fund her bachelor's degree and all the coursework toward a master's in history. In early 1960s Chicago, she was one of the few women in the advanced degree program-an accomplishment she was very proud of. Then Mick O'Shaughnessy walked into her life, a charming, dashing law student from Loyola University, and her path took a domestic turn.
For thirty-two years, Phyllis and Mick enjoyed life in Naperville. They raised three "favorite" children together, she helped in Mick's law office and threw herself into their family life - neighbors, driveway parties, football pools, school volunteering, bridge groups, Cress Creek country club, trips to the lake, the slopes and Las Vegas, Bears games, Benet basketball and all the holidays with the extended family together for fun, loud, big celebrations. When Mick passed away from cancer in 1996, Phyllis was just fifty-eight years old and a widow.
The next thirty years brought a new kind of joy as she became the beloved "Grandma O". She drove her grandchildren around in her two-seater Nissan 300ZX, unwittingly hosted a kids after-school program and rollerblading sessions in her basement, attended grandparents' days, babysat at Twin Lakes and on beach trips, and kept the tradition of family Thanksgivings and Christmases alive for whoever would gather around her table.
Lovely old friends became great travel companions on adventures through Europe, cruises through the Panama Canal and up to Alaska and British Columbia, and train journeys through Mexico and the Grand Canyon. She spent time with family on the West Coast too, visiting Oregon every year, California, and Hawaii.
Neighbors and friends kept her days full even as life slowed. Phyllis stayed connected through ladies' lunches, bridge groups at Sts. Peter & Paul and the Naperville Community Center, Farkle games, book club, and coffee in the Great Room at Avenida.
Nothing brought her more happiness than her family with all the special and ordinary moments - phone calls and visits, her adult nieces performing "Oh say, Have You Heard About Harry", JD's football games, Al's Pizza, Hallmark movies, and QVC. She found a reason to talk and laugh with anyone, and her smile brought a twinkle to everyone's eyes. Phyllis will be deeply missed and always remembered.
Family and friends will meet to celebrate a Thursday, January 22, 2026, 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL 60540. Inurnment will follow at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Naperville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis's memory may be made to: Philip J. Rock Center & School Foundation at https://pjrfoundation.org/
Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540.
For more information, please visit www.friedrich-jones.com or call (630) 355-0213.