Loving wife for 69 years to the late Thomas McNamara. Beloved mother of Mariann (George) Curran, Peggy (Brian) Fergus, Susan (Shay) Hogan, Cathy (Ed) Featherstone, Tom (Dee), Patti (Joe, CFD) McDonagh, and Bob (Jeannie).  Adored grandmother to Meghan and Katie Curran; Molly (Rob) Youllar and Kevin Fergus; Sarah and Michael Hogan; Bess  (Ian McGuire), Caroline and Austin Featherstone; Conor, Tim and Cara and the late Patrick Thomas "Pat Mac" McNamara; Brian, Tom, John, and Emmett McDonagh; Thomas "TJ", Lila, Barry, and John McNamara; Doting great grandmother to Levi Soto and Etta Youllar;  Dear sister of Peggy (Don) Launius and the late Mike (late Kay) Shevlin. Daughter of the late Michael and the late Annie Shevlin of Bellacorrick, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Cherished aunt, cousin, and friend to many. She treasured a special friendship with her cousin, the late Breege  McGuane. Mary was highly accomplished at so many things. She was a champion Irish dancer. Only 16 years old when she started her own Irish dancing school and continuing for more than 35 years, hundreds of Northwest Side young people learned reels, jigs, hornpipes and more in Mary's basement. She was a superb seamstress, making clothes for herself, her children and grandchildren. The McNamara family was always well-turned-out in unique Easter finery, prom dresses, bridesmaid gowns and more, handmade by Mary with love and great skill. She later became an avid quilter, making hundreds of quilts for her many children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. These quilts are handmade works of art, treasured by those who have received them. However, chief among her achievements is being an outstanding mother. She raised seven children to become accomplished adults. Mary's legacy continues through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary was a proud and active member of the Irish American community in Chicago. She was a longtime member of the Shamrock American Club and a founding member of the Irish American Heritage Center where her many contributions include starting the annual Christmas bazaar .After a lifetime of city and suburban life in Chicago, she and Tom retired and moved to a lake home on Apple Canyon Lake in northwest Illinois. There they were blessed to enjoy 20 years of outdoor life that included boating, fishing, golf, playing cards, many new friends in their new community, and more family gatherings at the lake than anyone could count. Mary will be greatly missed but so very fondly remembered. All who knew her were richer for it. Visitation Monday 3-8 p.m. at Cooney Funeral Home 625 Busse Hwy, Park Ridge.  Funeral Tuesday. Friends are asked to meet at St. Juliana Church for Mass at 11:00 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed please click the link/copy and paste to view the mass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPO0vZwVP18.  Interment private. In lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations to Pat Mac's Pack (https://patmacspack.org/product/donate/) or the Irish American Heritage Center (https://irish-american.org/donate-online/).Info 847-685-1002  www.cooneyfuneralhome.com