Mary Sheila Ferrara

Mary Sheila Ferrara was born on May 11, 1929 to Herbert and Constance Wurthman in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She grew through a tumultuous childhood. The oldest of three sisters, with a bedridden mother, she learned responsibility and tenacity at an early age. Her father taught her the rabbit punch and the kidney punch which she used only in self defense and to protect her marble collection.

Sheila learned piano and took voice lessons. She participated in singing competitions during her teen years, once traveling to Toronto to sing for the London Symphony director. She continued singing in church choirs and at Luther Village in her later years.

After turning down approximately four marriage proposals from Canadian suitors, she accepted one from Tom Ferrara and moved to Chicago. They were married for sixty four years until his death in 2014. At their fiftieth wedding anniversary Tom had “Then, Still, Always Will” written on their cake which she recently cited as one of her favorite memories.

Sheila was an active member of various Catholic churches as her family moved through Chicago and the north suburbs.

A life long sports fan, she could often be found at the many games played by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved hosting or going to family parties and could entertain us all with her stories that went back almost ninety six years.

Sheila had eight children: the late Timothy (Jean), Connie Moore (Bill), Aletha Ottlinger (Jim), Chris (Suzanne), Carrie VonMoser (Greg), the late Thomas, Joe (Suzanne) and Jon, twenty two grandchildren, forty one great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Donations may be made in her name to Misericordia Foundation.

Visitation for Mary will be held Monday, November 17, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Funeral service will follow at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Interment will be at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.