Mary Richards Obituary

Mary Jo Richards (nee Quinn), 78 years of age, died peacefully in her sleep on August 9 after a prolonged battle with pulmonary fibrosis and Sjogren's syndrome. Mary Jo was born in Detroit, the daughter of Irish immigrants. She earned a B.A. in English at Marygrove College in Detroit and taught school in Detroit, in Homewood, Illinois, and in Wheaton, Illinois. She lived in Glen Ellyn for the past 41 years. Mary Jo was an active member of St. Petronille Catholic Church in Glen Ellyn, where she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 1059, provided meals for the parish's sick and bereaved, and, even in her last days, sent condolence cards on behalf of the church. She was a mentor with Bridge Communities Transitional Housing, a volunteer with Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), the American Cancer Society, and Wellness House. She was an avid gardener, an active member of the Daisy Garden Club, and a Master Gardener with the University of Illinois Extension. Mary Jo is survived by her husband Barth; sons Barth and Michael; granddaughter Abby; grandson Kaiden; brother Thomas and sister Margaret. She is preceded in death by her daughter Patty; grandson Luke; mother Mary and father Thomas, and sister Anna Therese. A visitation will be held at The Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane St., Glen Ellyn, 60137 on Thursday, August 16, from 4 to 8 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Petronille, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn on Friday, August 17, at 10 am, everyone meet at church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary Jo's name to: The Mary Jo Richards Memorial at the Edward Foundation: 801 S. Washington Street, Naperville, IL 60540 - 630-527-3954 - www.edward.org, Esperan‡a: 1911 West Earll Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85015 - 888-701-5150 - www.esperanca.org, Marygrove College: 8425 W. McNichols, Detroit, MI 48221 - 313-927-1200 - www.marygrove.edu, The Adrian Dominican Sisters: 1267 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI - 517-263-4898 - www.adriandominicans.org or The programs for the homeless at St. Petronille: 420 Glenwood Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 - 630-469-0404 - www.stpetschurch.org. For info: 630-469-0032.