Maureen Ann Herling

Born in Chicago on September 22, 1933, to John and Rose Anne Schwind. She shared her young life alongside her siblings, Jack (Karen) Schwind, Daniel (Janee) Schwind, Rosaleen Moyer (the late William) and Patricia Meier. They lived behind the shoe repair shop and cleaners her folks owned.

She attended Chicago schools at St. Bartholomew followed by Notre Dame High School for girls. Her aspiration was to be a mother with a lot of children and that she was.

In her years after high school, she volunteered at St. Vincent’s orphanage and worked at the telephone company. Maureen loved to dance, sing, pull a prank and was the life of the party.

She was married to the love of her life, Thomas A Herling in 1954 until his death in December of 2016. They had 7 very blessed children- Sean (Kathleen) Herling, Daniel (Ronald Crook) Herling, Peggy (the late Steven) Janes, the late Rosanne (the late William) Herling-Laurino, Thomas P. (Eva) & (the late Nancy) Herling, the late Anthony (Sharon) Herling and Eileen (Darryl) Corter.

She was a devoted daughter, mom and grandma. Tom and she cared for her mom, Rose, for the last 6 years of her life in their home. They taught us how to honor and cherish parents even when it restricted their own lives. She was able to see her mom and dad come to know Christ as their personal savior.

Rosanne and her son AJ moved back into their home when AJ was just a baby. They supported them through Rosanne’s schooling until they moved out 9 years later. Again, giving out of their love and faithfulness.

Maureen had 14 grandchildren, A.J., Sean, Steve, Chris, Danny, Tommy, Jamie Lee, Patrick, Abigail, Nicky, Eric, Colleen, Scarlett and Pierce.

She had 15 great grandchildren. Heidi, Gannon, Frankie, Liam, Brody, Sean, Sadie, Shane, Delaney, Finley, McKinley, Ellie Rose, Riley and Joseph.

She loved playing games with her children and grandchildren or friends, watching old movies, gardening, maintaining a tidy home, and being a helpful neighbor. She frequently welcomed friends, neighbors, and relatives into our home. Their home had an open-door policy, with frequent visitors coming by for coffee and conversation. She could be found on the porch swing with a neighbor or family member.

Her life was not always a joy ride, but finding sobriety through a 12-step program turned her life and her family’s life around. She was filled with joy, laughter and peace. She came to know Christ shortly after sobriety. A neighbor, Dorothy Rickert led her to Christ through simple yet power filled bible verses, which my mom shared with us and others. She knew Jesus had saved her from the pit she was in. It was new living water bubbling up in her soul.

She was enthusiastic to tell those around her about the change Jesus made in her life in 1966 and to help those in lifelong recovery like herself find the path of grace, gratitude and mercy.

Her friends from the 12-step program became like family and were often in our home as well as the neighbors from the block bible study groups. It was important to her to be grateful and give back whether it was helping at regular meetings or the Grateful house, bringing food to those on skid row, having meetings for women in jail. She knew “for the grace of God, there go I”.

She volunteered at VBS programs, church events at Northside Gospel Center and South Park Church. At Camp Awana, she called herself the Latrine Queen because she found fun and joy easily.

You could find her reading her bible in her quiet spot on the back porch in Chicago or lounge chair in Florida. She often listened to messages or music on Moody or other Christian Radio station as she worked in the kitchen. Maureen was an avid book reader.

Prayers for many of you can be found in the edges of her bible pages, 24-hour book or devotionals she read.

Maureen and Babe enjoyed their retirement years as snowbirds in Naples, Florida, making friends and hosting parties. Dad ensured Mom exercised regularly, bringing her to water aerobics almost every day. They attended River of Life Church in Florida and Windy City Church in Chicago. She loved following the Blackhawks, Cubs, and occasionally DA Bears.

Mom did have a lot of obsessions that rotated from one to the next – new foods, snacks or candies or games- like word search. Her kids or grandkids can speak to many of those things!

Maureen began a long and slow journey with Alzheimer's in her 70s yet remained to make us laugh and smile spreading joy even in this state of decline.

Thank you, Aunt Rosie, for always checking on your sister every week over many years.

We appreciated God sending us Flora Oracion who was mom’s caretaker for 7 plus years. She treated our mom like her own and we are eternally grateful to her. We like to thank the staff at Norwood Crossing who also cared for our mom the last 21 months. Mia, Mia, Halina, Emma, JD, Angela and Corrina who made sure mom had loving care

Maureen’s mission - To God be all the Glory!

Services for Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held June 7, 2025. This will take place at Windy City Community Church, 6131 N. Newark Avenue. Chicago, Il 60631. The Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life from 10:30 to 11:30. There will be a short graveside service at All Saints Cemetery followed by a reception.

A livestream of the memorial service will be provided for those who wish to join remotely. Details and access information can be found at https://windycitycommunitychurch.org/plan-your-visit/watchlive