You have my sincere condolences in your time of grief.  My prayers are with you and the McCall family.

We extend our heart felt sympathy to the entire family.  We are sorry that we will not be able to attend the services, but we will keep you all in our prayers.Love,Judy & Terry

Mrs. McCall taught me at Our Lady of the Wayside.  She was my 5th grade teacher.  In 16 years of education, she was my favorite teacher.  For the past two years I've meant to write to her to tell her what she meant to me and to thank her.  I had a letter started.  But again and again I got too busy, and never followed through.  So here I'd just like to say a few small things I would have said in that letter:  I thought she had the most beautiful name.  Ella T. McCall.  I loved her handwriting and her signature.  I still make my number “4” exactly like her with a special curve, like a tilde, on the tail.  And when I was in her class in 5th grade she returned my social studies test to me and told me I was an excellent writer—that I could be a journalist someday.  It meant the world to me when she said that.  I’m not a journalist, but when I do write something well in my profession, I remember her and the way her simple compliment inspired me.I now live a few houses down the street from Mrs. McCall's first house--on St. James Place in Arlington.  I was so happy when I learned that.  When I walk by the house that was hers, I think of her.  She was a beautiful woman in every way.  I like knowing the little ways in which our paths have crossed.When I got my wedding photos from the photographer in 2006--scanning through the thousands they seem to take these days--I came across a photo of two elderly women sitting in a back pew at the church.  It was Mrs. McCall and Mrs. Cavanagh--another teacher dear to my heart.  They were at my wedding mass and I didn't even know it.  I wish I had known so I could have said hi and thanked them for the impact they each had on my life.I found out about Mrs. McCall's death today while waiting at Wayside for my pre-schooler to come out from school.  I could see the windows of my 5th grade classroom, where Mrs. McCall taught me.  I don't know Mrs. McCall's family, but I thank them for sharing this wonderful lady with so many of us.Kelly (Lemke) Trunnell

Michael and family,I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother.  She was always such a nice lady.  I know that she will be missed by you and your family.  And her many friends at Clare Oaks as well.It is so sad losing loved ones, but I hope that you can rejoice in the life that she lived and hold dear the many memories you have of your times together.  Take time in the days and months ahead to think of her and your father and how they have helped make you who you are today.Cherish the time with loved ones now - we never know when God will plan to come for us.God bless.

On Sunday evenings I read the Chicago Tribune.  At almost four dollars a pop for an out-of-town issue, you can be sure I read almost every word.  Well, maybe not the car ads, but definitely the obituaries. And that’s how I learned that Ella Therese McCall died at age 87.Ella McCall and I lost contact over thirty-five years ago, but I still save the thank you note she sent me for directing her fourth grade class’s first ever play in the late 1970s. I remember how important that was, not only for those children, but also for me.I was newly divorced and needed a distraction. So I went to the local school to volunteer where my sons were enrolled. Neither son was in her class, which makes me wonder how she and I actually connected.  Perhaps it was serendipity at its finest.I’d always been a frustrated thespian and offered to produce a play using her students as the actors.  If memory serves, it was “The Prince and the Pauper.” And even if memory is wrong, what I remember was what a roaring good time we all had.  The teacher was supportive; the students were eager; the audience was appreciative.  And I was thrilled to be involved in something related to acting.  My previous years as a drama student and an active member of community theater weren’t in vain.Fast forward a few months.  My sons and I had moved, and they went to a different school.  That was when Ella McCall – I called her Mrs. back then – wrote to tell me staff and students had asked if her current class would be putting on a production.She and I both knew the answer. The moment had come and gone. But seeing her obituary in black and white made me smile again, then tear a little.  Rest in peace, Ella McCall.

i went to school with her mary beth at st mary in winona-nice family  hope to go to the service for her

I worked with Ella McCall at Marshall Field's.  I left there 27 years ago but we have stayed in touch, and for the first few years after I went to work elsewhere we would meet occasionally. I received her letter with her Christmas card, updating everyone on her life and that of her wonderful family.  Ella was one of the nicest, most caring and fun to be around people that I have ever had the privilege to call friend. Her star will sparkle in the night sky, as we all remember her smile, warmth, generosity and faith. Everyone who knew her is richer for it.  Barb

OBITUARY

Ella Therese McCall

June 4, 1927 – January 15, 2015

Glueckert Funeral Home

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