Mary Jean Gallagher

May 21, 1931 - December 29, 2015

Mary Jean Gallagher, beloved wife of James Sr., mother of James, Mark (Darlene), Ruth Ann, Jean Marie (Kurt), Mary Elaine (Michael), John (Elaine), Diane Lynn (Andy), and Kate Lynn (Scottie); sister of John (Dawn) Bure; grandmother of Kathy (Ramon), Steven (Cristi), Christopher, Sarah (Caleb), Megan (Chris), Kathleen (Brock), Christina, James, Daniel, Andrew, Caryn (Alex), Sean, Angelyn, Lynsey, Nicholas, Riley, Mikayla, and Curtis; great-grandmother of Xavier, Abel, Ayden, Addison, Cassidy, Taylor, Lawrence, Olivia, Christopher, Connor, Cody and Kevin; godmother, aunt, cousin, neighbor and friend to all, joined our Lord on Dec. 29, 2015. Mary Jean Bure was born on May 21, 1931 in Hillside, N.J. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from St Elizabeth College. Her 1st "real" job was as sole dietician to 100 girl scouts at age 20 when their leader took ill. She only had a wood-burning camp stove to work with, but as usual Mary Jean rose to the occasion. Upon moving to Waukegan in her early twenties, she found employment as a dietician at St. Therese Hospital in Waukegan. In 1966 James Gallagher co-founded North Chicago Iron Works, still family owned today with Mary Jean’s support. Mary Jean married James Gallagher Sr. on Jan 30, 1954 at Immaculate Conception Church in Waukegan. They raised eight children who they took on numerous, raucous car trips. They owned a cabin on the Mississippi River where all the family would frequently gather for bonfires, fireworks, cookouts, turtle, frog, and toad hunts; good times were had by all. She had near lifelong friends who were part of the "Birthday Club" and close neighbors whose company she treasured. The back door was always open and anyone could find a place at the table or a spot to sleep as long as they helped bring in the groceries! Her favorite flowers were dandelions picked by children. The cornerstones of Mary Jean's life were her faith, family, and volunteer work. She was a member of St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Waukegan since 1957 and she worked tirelessly over the years with a number of groups: Eucharistic Minister of Care at Victory Hospital, St Anastasia School Board, President and Board Member of the Sanctuary Society, Boy Scouts, bingo every Wednesday, soup kitchen on Mondays, along with eight graduations along the way. Mary Jean was also very active outside St. Anastasia: President and Board Member of Altrusa International of Lake County, Board Member of Family Services of Lake County, Board Member of the Health Department, President and Board Member of Catholic Women's Club of Lake County which built churches in poor areas of this country, 3rd Vice President of Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (Cardinal Cody Medal Woman of the Year, Chicago), member of American Association of University Women, AAUW Representative as a Deputy Registrar of Lake County (Chamber of Commerce Award), Member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, worked for many years as a graveyard shift volunteer for a crisis hotline, Contact, founding member of Literacy Volunteers of Lake County, was instrumental along with fellow Church Women United of Waukegan members in starting the Crop Walk, and for years was involved with Interfaith Chaplaincy of Lake County which held annual memorial services for the indigent of Lake County as she believed no one should have to depart this world alone. Only the Lord knows where she found the time. Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents Michael Jacob Bure and Adelia Amelia Onan Bure, sister Ruth Ann O'Brien, brother-in-law Jack O'Brien, brother James Michael; and grandchildren Thomas Joseph, and Brianna. We will forever remember Mary Jean's spirit and the lessons she taught us all, as well as the toast she gave at nearly every major occasion. Visitation will be from 2:30 pm - 7:00 pm on Monday January 4, 2016 at Peterson & Patch Funeral Home 408 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan and at 10:00 am at St. Anastasia Church on Tuesday January 5, 2016. Funeral mass will follow at 11:00 am at St. Anastasia Church, 624 Douglas Avenue, Waukegan. Interment will be at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to St. Anastasia Church and to the Catholic Women's Club of Lake County Pope Pius XII Building Fund in care of Peterson & Patch Funeral Home. Please sign our online guestbook at www.petersonandpatchfuneralhome.com. For information please call (847) 623-0495.