Maureen M. Ruscitti

Maureen M. Ruscitti (nee O’Connell), age 77. A resident of Downers Grove, IL, the memorial mass service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 4801 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515. Interment private burial of ashes will take place at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

A consummate mother, caregiver and homemaker, Maureen was known for her cooking, and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and lots of pot-lucks with friends. She loved her family dearly, and was a vital part of their daily lives. She resided with her daughter, Mary K. Kennedy (Ruscitti), Mary’s husband, Arthur (Artie) Kennedy, and their two daughters, Maura her “Beauty Baby”, and Maegan her “Baby Love”. Maureen enjoyed spending most of her free time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading books, the daily Chicago Tribune cover to cover and doing crosswords in pen daily. Maureen attended Notre Dame Catholic High School for Girls, graduating in 1954 and Wilbur Wright College, in Chicago, IL. Many of her longtime friends she met at Notre Dame ad consider her their “most fun friend”. She was a Ms. Progress contestant in her late teens. Prior to her retirement, Maureen was employed as a secretary for construction company and then as a paralegal secretary for 30 plus years, with many law offices in Cook and DuPage County, including her boss and best friend, the late Leo McLennon in his Park Ridge office. She was the best “gal Friday” anyone ever had, and took to law like a fish to water. Prior to office secretaries being called paralegals, she helped set the bar for the rest to come. She loved to dance the jitterbug and was once crowned Jitterbug King and Queen with her former husband. She then was a mom for many years and returned to law after 16 years. She was the ultimate caregiver, caring for her family, her ailing mother, and aunt daily, and eventually a caregiver for Resurrection Retirement Home for many residents for about 10 years, giving those residents a well-cared for and loving end, including the late Margaret Senior, who became like family to Maureen’s own. Continuing that path she cared daily for her two grandchildren and never wanted anyone but family to do so. She was lover of the arts, including opera and had season tickets to the Lyric Opera for many years. A staunch Republican, she supported the National Right to Life Organization, wrote or called her legislatures often and walked door-to-door as a Goldwater girl.

Mrs. Ruscitti passed away Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Born Maureen M. O’Connell on December 7, 1936 in Chicago, IL and was the middle daughter five children to the late Charles T. and the late Katherine C. (Rork) O’Connell. She was predeceased by her beloved son Michael C. Ruscitti. She was also predeceased by her former husband of 16 years, Ray S. Ruscitti and her two brothers Timothy (Nadine and son Tim) and William O’Connell. Maureen is survived by her daughter Mary (Artie) Kennedy. She is also survived by her two grandchildren, Maura and Maegan Kennedy, her sister, Katherine J. (O’Connell) Santoro and brother, Dennis F. (Sue) O’Connell. Maureen was the beloved aunt to twelve nieces and nephews, as well as great-aunt to many. She is surely jitterbugging in heaven today.