Maureen A. Herr Obituary (1930 - 2009)

Maureen A. Herr 79 of Pontiac passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren on July 4, 2009 at 3:10 pm at Brighton Gardens of Burr Ridge, IL, her home for the past 2 years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am at St. Mary's Church on Thursday, July 9, 2009 with Monsignor Thomas Mack officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 pm Wednesday July 8, 2009 with a rosary recited at 3:30 pm at St. Mary's Church. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery in Fairbury, IL. Maureen was born January 23, 1930 to William Charles and Genevieve (Kelly) Brown in Cincinnati OH. She and her husband James recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married on June 20th, 1959 at St. Teresa Church in Cincinnati OH. She attended college in Cincinnati and taught kindergarten until her marriage. Maureen hosted a children's television show in Cincinnati in the 1950's. She was also an accomplished professional singer who sang with many of Cincinnati's finest "Big Bands" including the Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Kehrer Orchestras and the Cincinnati Summer Opera. She and her sisters Elaine and Mary Ellen were asked to sing on the Breakfast Club, a long time Chicago variety show and were offered a recording contract. After her marriage, Maureen dedicated herself to raising her children, grandchildren and foster children. She loved garage sales and antiques, eventually managing her own antique shop. She was a member of St. Mary's Parish and served on the Alter and Rosary Society, St. Mary's PTO, Women's Guild and was a member of the Illinois Right to Life Committee. She was happiest surrounded by the voices and music of her children, grandchildren and their many friends. Maureen is survived by her husband James and nine children: Maureen (David) Drach, Pontiac, James (Kathy) Herr, Germantown Hills, William (Shelly) Herr, Barrington, Michael (Kelly) Herr, Plainfield, Patricia (Anthony) Melei, Lockport, Thomas (Serena) Herr, Bloomington, Timothy (Heather) Herr, Wheaton, Carole (Joe) Considine, Chicago, and Terrence (Carla) Herr, Chicago, nineteen grandchildren, Kelly, Anthony, Jonathan, Justin, Michayla, Jessica, Zachary, Kaycee, Ryan, Kathleen, Michael, Sarah, Grace, Jesse, Madelyn, Patrick, Joseph, James, and Christopher and was expecting the arrival of her 20th grandchild in August. She is survived by her sisters Carole Brown, Wisconsin, Elaine (Richard) Plageman, Mary Ellen Powers-Lynch, and brothers James (Mary Jane) Brown, Thomas (Carole) Brown, Michael Brown, all of Cincinnati and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by one son, Patrick Joseph and siblings Dorothy Frommeyer, Regina Feist, Gussie Brown and William Brown who she joins in heaven. The family wishes to thank the loving and caring staff at Brighton Gardens of Burr Ridge who became her second family as well as the staff of Vitas Hospice for the excellent care our mother received. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Church or Grade School, Pontiac, IL.