Margaret Clara Schaaf

Margaret Clara Schaaf (nee Eubanks) of Chicago, IL, died from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease in Bonita Springs FL on November 4th, 2024. Born November 17, 1932, to the late Helen Reize Eubanks & Amos Albert Eubanks, she is survived by her only living sibling, Thomas Eubanks, her loving children Rita (Lawrence) Burns, Peter Schaaf, Anna (Charles) Vandenburgh, Christine Schaaf (Steven Gross), and Paula (late Peter) Hand as well as her seven grandchildren: Nicholas Burns, Sarah (Quinn) Blankenheim, Jonathan Vandenburgh, Christopher Vandenburgh, Matthew Vandenburgh, Henry Gross and Ethan Gross.

Margaret grew up and spent most of her life on the Southside of Chicago, part of a large and extended family. She graduated from DePaul University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and earned a Master’s in Psychology from Chicago State University in 1978. She was also a Benedictine Oblate of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN since 1988.

Margaret started her professional career with the City of Chicago Park District. She was an American Red Cross lifeguard, taught swimming and organized water ballet performances. She was an agile athlete who excelled at sports including softball, bowling and tennis. While playing in a tournament at Waveland Courts, she met her (former, now deceased) husband Edward J. Schaaf DDS. They raised five children while staying involved in social and civil rights efforts in their community. Margaret returned to her passion, teaching with Chicago Public Schools in Physical Education then Special Education, spending thirty years at a variety of schools organizing chess clubs notably at Hirsch Metro High School where the team ranked in City Championships. After retirement she tutored students and volunteered at Mercy Home helping high school dropouts get their GEDs. Teaching was her mission and she impacted many young people’s lives.

In her lifetime, she enjoyed time with faithful family and friends including Sr. Joyce Williams OSB, Ginger Stich and Jenny DeVivo. Her relaxed generous spirit made everyone feel welcome and she always made sure there was room for one more at the dinner table. She was a strong, intelligent, empowered woman who viewed life in an optimistic yet practical way. She believed in a fundamental truth: We are all God’s children in one body of Christ; God loves us all!

Our family is grateful for the compassionate care from American House Bonita Springs and Hope Hospice. Special thanks to Chrystal Prihoda for her loving, compassionate, and devoted care for our mom.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict. https://sbm.osb.org/

Visitation and Funeral Mass on Saturday November 16th at Our Lady at St. Germaine Catholic Church, 9737 S. Kolin Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL 60453.

Visitation: 9:30-10:30AM, followed by Mass at 10:30AM.

Interment will follow Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at 87th & Hamlin in Evergreen Park.