Mary L. Paul

Mary L. Paul (nee Brennan), age 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Mary was born in Green Bay, WI on March 30, 1944 and was raised in nearby Kiwanis, WI with her three brothers Ken, Bob and Don, and her sister Jillene. They were raised in a loving home where her mother ran the local general store and the siblings often played practical jokes and were always playing games, sports and doing outdoor activities. In 1964 she moved to Chicago with her husband, David, where they lived in West Rogers Park and together raised their three daughters, Kathy, Sandy and Sheerie. Mary was a devoted mother and wife, and she loved taking the girls to and from their tennis lessons, practices and games, a sport all three children loved and would carry with them through life. Family was a staple throughout her entire life, with David’s family living nearby, her beloved  nieces and nephews were a constant presence in the home and filled the days with many great memories and laughter. She always made time to visit home to see her family in Wisconsin. Her children, grandchildren and extended family and friends were always welcome in her home for laughter and a meal. 

When their youngest child, Sheerie was diagnosed with leukemia at a very young age, Mary continued to care for all three of the children with equal affection and care, while still managing to bring Sheerie to and from her treatments. Amidst it all, she even somehow managed to find the time to help found the very first Ronald McDonalds’s House for children located near Children’s Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park. 

Throughout her life, she remained a committed, hardworking, and loving mother and wife and never complained about any of the many challenges placed before her. She simply persevered, held down a job, and continued to care for her family and friends with the same equal love and attention as always, and her immense love and positive influence carries forward in each of them. 

Mary adored her two grandsons, TC and Brennan and her granddaughter Peyton and treated each of them with the same affection, attention, love, and care. She was always present in their lives and her care and influence has played an instrumental role in each of their upbringing and lives. She enjoyed nothing more than spoiling them on their birthdays, holidays or any day.  No matter what the problem, she always had a magical way of making everyone feel better, usually with a joke, meal or dessert. When her daughter Sheerie, and later her husband David became ill, she cared for them both, at the same time, without hesitation or complaint. 

She would never miss a music recital, plays, archery and or a lacrosse events if she could help it, and loved nothing more than watching her grandchildren grow up. Even in her later years as she faced health challenges, she found the will to travel to Mexico and the Dominican Republic to attend her grandson’s weddings. She insisted on attending her daughter Sandy’s birthday and her granddaughter’s lacrosse game just a week before her passing. 

Mary and David both loved to travel and went to many places, including Brazil to visit family, Ireland, the Middle East, all over the USA and the many stops in Caribbean. As recently as last year, Mary even managed to visit Niagara Falls with her longtime dear friend, Matina Connelley and her daughter, Kathy. She loved staying in touch with family and friends across the country and globe and made a concerted effort to do so all her life.   

Mary was known for her mischievous behavior, strong will, independence, loved to laugh, and no matter what, was always fun and entertaining to the end. She loved to read books, cook for others, play cards, crosswords, and other games and puzzles. She even had a virtual reality headset that she would play games on. Her famous dish was her Briyani, it was a family favorite and never to be missed. 

She never missed a chance to trade witty barbs with her daughters or her sons’ in law, and gleefully enjoyed reminding everyone when her beloved Green Bay Packers won. 

Mary is survived by her loving daughters, Katherine Paul (Mark Segal), Sandra Paul-Forde (Brian Forde); grandchildren, Theodore Cameron Paul (Samantha Brandel Paul), Brennan David Paul (Casey Sukel Paul), and Peyton Mary Forde; siblings, Jillene Noonan and Kenneth Brennan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, David Paul; and daughter, Sheerie Ruzecki.