Maureen R. (Kelly) Remsing

Maureen Kelly Remsing of Prairie Grove, IL died Monday July 31, 2023 at Three Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care at age 68 after a multi years-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born June 24, 1955 in Chicago, IL to Kathleen (nee O’Connor) Kelly and Robert “Emmett” Kelly.

She is survived by her Husband, Robert Remsing; her children Sean (Megan), Ryan (Stacee), and Shannon; and 4 grandchildren, Clara, Isabel, Emmett, and Faylinn.

Maureen was a proud Irish-American, keeping ties back to family in Ireland and visiting often beginning at a young age. Her favorite city was Galway, where she spent her late teens and early twenties. She kept her home and family wrapped in green her whole life. We will always remember her love of Belleek china, The Quiet Man, and how she truly believed Eric Clapton (her favorite musician) HAD to be part Irish because she couldn’t let herself love a full-blooded Englishman. In 1976 Maureen had a chance encounter at a party with a scruffy young man who invited her to see Muddy Waters in concert the following week. They had a great time and this scoundrel surreptitiously “forgot” his wallet in her purse as insurance he would get to see her again. Luckily his scheme worked, and 2 years later they began their 45-year marriage, affectionate and loving until the last day. Maureen was a very active mother, volunteering at school and being involved in the community despite working full time. She rarely missed her kid’s games or special events, and was warm and comforting when they needed her. Even as Alzheimer’s began to affect her, she kept being a wonderful grandma to her 4 grandchildren.

In business, Maureen was very successful. She was the Vice-President of Remsing Construction, a general contractor focused on commercial renovations and new builds. She was also the President of SailTime Chicago; a leading boat membership company. Both of these companies were run with her husband and family and it gave her joy to work with them every day. A woman of many talents, her favorite was photography. Taught as a child by her uncle Eamon O’Connor, Maureen was rarely at a social event or scenic view without her camera. She was most talented at portraiture, where she was able to capture the essence of her subject by eliciting natural smiles and poses.

In 2010 Maureen was diagnosed with colon cancer. After extensive surgery and months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, she was cancer-free by 2011. Her strength during these difficult times was inspirational to anyone fortunate enough to witness. A public memorial visitation will be held at Davenport Funeral Home in Crystal Lake, IL Sunday August 6, 2023 from 11 AM until the memorial service at 2PM. Immediately following, a Remembrance of Life and dinner will be held at a local establishment with details to follow.

To honor Maureen’s memory, the Remsing family asks that you get regular colonoscopies beginning at age 50 (40 if you have a family history!), and that you take steps to protect your cognitive health and your loved ones.