Gwendolyn Ann Geraghty

Gwendolyn Ann Geraghty (nee Smith) age 98, passed into eternal life on June 10, 2026. “Ann”, as she was known to family and friends, was born on September 12, 1927, in Chicago to James Smith and Rose (Rudden) Smith, immigrants from County Cavan, Ireland. She grew up on Chicago’s West Side, attending St. Mel Grade School until moving to the Resurrection of Our Lord “Res” Parish Grade School, where she was honored to have been chosen to crown Mary, then Sienna High School, graduating in 1945. Ann obtained her bachelor’s degree from Chicago Teacher’s College in 1949 and began teaching special needs students in the Chicago Public Schools. She went on to obtain her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 1957, and subsequently completed the coursework for a doctorate in clinical psychology. Ann’s strong work ethic was consistent throughout her life, working part time during high school and full time during undergrad and graduate school, always grateful for the opportunities and enjoying the challenge.

Ann’s joie de vivre and adventurous spirit took her around the world. Putting her CPS salary and summer schedule to good use, she traveled to every Central and South American country, Mexico, all of Europe, and Ireland. Ann enjoyed a year in England teaching American students on an Air Force base with her beloved sister and frequent travel companion, Dodo. There was more to her travels than just adventure; over the years, her deep faith called Ann to pilgrimage to the Vatican, the Holy Land, Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, Knock, and Medjugorje, as well as to attend mass officiated by St. Padre Pio.

After a decade of courtship, Ann married James Anthony Geraghty in 1961. They enjoyed over 50 years of marriage, with Jim spending its entirety telling one and all that marrying Ann was his greatest accomplishment. In addition to being wonderfully compatible intellectually and spiritually, they also had endless fun together, sharing their love of music, dancing, theater, humor, and above all, time spent with family. They raised five children while residing in Oak Park and Glen Ellyn, where they were actively involved in St. Giles and St. Petronille parishes, forming lifelong friendships. Ann was the original “Super Mom”, enduring a daily commute in her career as a school psychologist for the Chicago Board of Education until she was 66, where she loved the opportunity to assess children and help their families obtain much needed support, all while being fully involved in her children’s lives. She volunteered at their schools, was a Girl Scout leader, attended all their events, athletic and artistic, and spent countless vacations in the family station wagon showing them the beauty of our vast country—always starting every journey with a rosary. Every night ended with prayers at each child’s bedside. Her children have endless fond memories of holidays and vacations spent with aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family parties were lively affairs full of good craic, ending with all gathered around Ann at the piano for a singalong. All who talked to her experienced the warm embrace of Ann’s unconditional love and felt truly seen and accepted. With an easy laugh, ready word of support, and nary a complaint, she was the rare person who was always good company.

Ann was preceded in death by her adoring husband Jim, cherished siblings Kathleen “Bobba” Sullivan, James Smith, and Rosaleen “Dodo” Sherlock, and her beloved daughter Ellen. Ann is survived by her caring sister Joan Costello, loving children Marita (Christopher Cool), James (Mary Clare), Patrick (Christine), and Gwen (Sean Houlihan), grandchildren Kathleen, Fiona, Margaret (William “Zach” Long), Molly, James (Jolie Rosado), Sean, Holly, Brendan, and Maeve, and great-grandchildren William, Theodore, and Adeline. Family and friends will gather for visitation on Friday, June 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Leonard Memorial Home, located at 565 Duane Street in Glen Ellyn, and at a funeral Mass on Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m. at St. Petronille Catholic Church, located at 420 Glenwood Avenue in Glen Ellyn. Immediately following, Ann will be interned at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, with a luncheon celebrating her life thereafter.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Misericordia. For more information on arrangements please call Leonard Memorial Home at (630) 469-0032.

At 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning, Ann's funeral mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@saintpetronille9639/streams