Mary Frances (Trossen) Reinhart

Surrounded by loved ones, our dear beloved mother, Mary Frances (Trossen) Reinhart went home to be with the Lord on December 10, 2020. After a beautiful and incredibly productive life, she went to join Jack, her loving husband, friend, and partner in heaven.

Mary was born to Henry and Frances Trossen on November 16, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois. As the oldest of six children, she took on the role of the loving big sister, offering advice and encouragement to her younger siblings. Growing up near a big city, Mary enjoyed the cultural and educational opportunities provided by museums and other aspects of city life. Mary was an ardent admirer of the arts. She instilled a love of music, art, and travel in all of her children.

The Trossens were a devout German Catholic family, and their children attended parochial schools during their elementary and high school years in Park Ridge, Illinois and Cleveland, Ohio. Mary was a bright and inquisitive child who enjoyed her studies, especially in Science, History, English, and Latin. She was a voracious reader, an excellent debater, and a gifted athlete.

From her parents and her Catholic school teachers, Mary learned the importance of faith, family, and service during her formative years. It is no surprise that she continued on to become a strong woman of faith, with a heart for service in her home, at church, and in the communities of Toledo, Ohio, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Cinnaminson, New Jersey, and Barrington, Illinois.

On July 14, 1943, in the midst of WWII, Mary Frances married the love of her life, Harold (Jack) Reinhart, a farm boy from Carey, Ohio. Following their honeymoon, Jack began his years of service in the U.S. Navy. Upon his return, they settled down and started a family, which would grow to include twelve children. Working together to create a happy and healthy family was their most profound labor of love. Raising their children with the values and the education necessary to become caring and compassionate human beings was no small feat but one they dedicated their lives to accomplishing.

Mary Frances had the gift of hospitality. She welcomed everyone into their home with open arms, a smile, and a delicious meal, which always included her wonderful baked goods. The food was always coupled with a listening ear, words of wisdom, advice, and encouragement. Mary Frances was a born leader and an optimist. No task seemed too great for her, and every problem had a solution especially if you placed it in God’s hands. She was a skilled organizer of people and events, which she utilized at home and in her volunteer work at her beloved parish of St. Anne Catholic Church. For over four decades Mary was an active member of the Women’s Club, Co-Chairperson of the Community Affairs Ministry, Chairwoman of the Funeral Luncheon Ministry and Meals on Wheels, Committee for Senior Citizen luncheons, Women’s Retreats, and other events where she was needed.

Mary was preceded in death by two of her cherished sons, Tom and Jim.

She is survived by ten of her twelve children: Mary Anne, Susan, Joan, Stephen, Julie, Josette, Marguerite, Theresa, Michael, Peter, and her siblings, Virginia and Thomas. Mary leaves behind twenty-nine grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren. Mary has been the North Star of our entire family for decades. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Project Hope, St. Anne Catholic Church 120 N. Ela Street Barrington, IL 60010

Funeral services will be held at a later date at St. Anne’s Church.