Mary Jane Abel

Mary Jane Abel (nee Brady), age 92, of Glen Ellyn.

Mary Jane Abel (aka “Bebe”), a resident of Glen Ellyn since 1963, passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph B. Abel for 61 years. Loving and dedicated mother to Joseph G. (Sharon), Mary, Jim, Martha, Mark (Anna), Dan, John (Amanda) and Paul Abel. Adored grandmother of Wayne (Jamie) Henriksen, Deanna (Jeremy) Bero, Michael Quattrocchi, Meghan Konen, Madeline and Carolyne Abel, Jack and Allie Abel. Great-grandmother of Charlie, Leah, and AJ Henriksen, as well as Elliot and June Bero. Beloved daughter of the late Bertrand & Ellenora Brady. Dear sister of the late Donald and the late Bertrand Brady. Fond aunt of many nieces & nephews.

A devoted and loving friend, Mary Jane is reunited with a multitude of lifelong friends in heaven. Mary Jane was raised in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago and attended St. Ignatius grade school (1946), Saint Scholastica high school (1950), was a member of the Alumnae Sodality of St. Ignatius (devoted to the Virgin Mary) and served as class president. She graduated from Mundelein College (1954) now known as Loyola University Chicago, subsequently teaching fourth grade, and marrying the love of her life, Joe, in 1955. They spent several happy years in Murray Hill, NJ, with her father “Bumpa” and his beloved garden, and five of her first eight children, before moving back to Glen Ellyn in 1963. “Bebe” was a huge Cubs fan and avid WGN listener; she also loved music, dancing, golfing, and playing bridge. She was dedicated to her Catholic faith and devoted to the Blessed Mother.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially annual summer vacations, as well as spring break trips to Sanibel Island, FL, which would not be complete without visiting the Mucky Duck and repeated games of UNO with the grandkids. Mary Jane and Joe spent many happy years in retirement traveling internationally, being “snowbirds” in Sanibel, and volunteering at St. Petronille Parish and local organizations, particularly Northwestern Medicine/Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.

Mary Jane’s visitation will be on Saturday, October 5th from 9:00 AM -10:30 AM at Leonard Memorial Funeral Home, 565 Duane St. Glen Ellyn; followed by Mass (11AM) at St. Petronille Church, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn. We will then process to Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton where she will be laid to rest. For more information (www.leonardmemorialhome.com or 630-469-0032). To view the live stream of Mary Jane's mass at 11 AM on Saturday, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@saintpetronille9639

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Marianjoy Rehabilitation, (https://nmgive.donordrive.com/) or by mail to: Northwestern Memorial Foundation, 541 North Fairbanks Court, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois 60611

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