Josephine Annie Honan (nee O'Brien), 81, passed away peacefully at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge on Monday, February 6, 2017, with her loving family in attendance. She was born in Bushfield, Charlestown, County Mayo, Ireland to Thomas and Margaret (McNeela) O'Brien.  She was the fourth oldest of ten children.She attended primary education at Cloonlyn National School and at thirteen she attended the Marist Convent Secondary School. In 1954 she decided to emigrate, together with her sister Angela, and they rode the Atlantic waves in the Liner Mauretania.  Their destination was Chicago, where Aunt Delia Tully welcomed them into her home and the New World.  They were followed shortly thereafter by several other siblings, all moving into an apartment together on the West Side of Chicago. She worked as a secretary for an insurance company in the Insurance Exchange Building in downtown Chicago.  She was part of the 'Remittance Generation' that always put family before self.  She sent part of her paychecks to her family in Ireland -  to help with the upbringing and educating of the younger members of her family.  She also brought her Irish heritage with her to Chicago, becoming a very popular member of the Chicago Camogie Club and actively participating in it for a number of years. She met her loving husband, Mike, in 1957 at a dance at McInery Hall on Madison Avenue in Chicago.  After several years of courtship, they married on August 13th, 1960 at St Stanislaus Church in Chicago.  Within the next nine years, they had 5 children – who quickly became the passion of her life.  She was also very focused on her extended family.  She opened her home to all family and friends.  All overseas visitors knew they were always welcome, whether for a short vacation trip or even for the occasional extended stays.  Whether it was hosting a holiday celebration for extended family, taking a family vacation to the lake or simply baking a traditional Irish soda bread, family was always first.  She loved baking pies and cookies as much as her children and grandchildren loved to eat them.  She may not have picked up baseball in her new country, but she sure perfected the Apple Pie. When she had a moment to herself, she enjoyed reading, dancing, going for a walk and talking with her sisters on the phone.  She instilled a strong work ethic within all her children, leading by example.  Whether it was helping with the books of the family business, going to work at a bank or even at a restaurant when the family needed it.  She was a driving force that we will miss dearly. Josephine was preceded in death by her brother John, as well as her sisters, Francie, Maureen and Theresa. She was also preceded in death by her oldest grandson, Michael who she was so proud of and missed dearly. She is also survived by her loving husband Mike, sisters Angela, Eileen, Carmel, Vera and brother Tommie. She is also survived by her three sons and two daughters and their spouses as well as sixteen grandchildren. (Michael and Stefany Honan, Tremont, IL., and their children Colin, Caitlyn and Conor; Eileen and Patrick Byrne, Banagher, County Offaly, Ireland, and their children Martin, Aisling, Patrick, Sarah and Aidan; Tom and Mary Honan, Park Ridge, IL., and their daughter, Maggie; Brendan and Annette Honan, Park Ridge, IL., and their children, Aidan, Molly, Jackie and Annie; and Karen and John Durkan, Chicago, IL., and their children Sean, Fiona and Mairead. Visitation Saturday from 10 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Juliana Church, 7400 W. Touhy, Chicago. Funeral mass at 11:30 a.m.  Interment All Saints Cemetery.  Info (847) 685-1002  www.cooneyfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider a donation to the   Michael P Honan Memorial Scholarship Fund, 104 E Lee St, Tremont IL. 61568.