Mary Rita Hayes was born Rita Byrne on July 4th, 1925 to Edward and Margaret Byrne (nee Downs). Her Grandmother Margaret Downs (A Chicago fire survivor) did not like the name Rita and insisted on calling her Mary. Mary was the youngest of 9 siblings and would spend much of her early life caring for her Mother and Grandmother. As a young girl, Mary enjoyed roller skating and roaming around the west side of Chicago. She attended the "Century of Progress" at the age of 7 and recalled viewing Pioneer Zephyr - the famous streamlined locomotive. She completed grade school at Precious Blood School and attended Manley High School for 3 years. Mary loved to work and delivered telegrams, worked at National Biscuit company, and served as a telephone operator. She would eventually take a job as a lunchroom manager with Chicago Public Schools - a job that she was very fond of. One of her longest assignments was Francis Scott Key elementary.
Mary spent 34 years at 2701 W. Polk Street in Chicago before moving to various other addresses on Chicago's west and northwest sides. She married George Hayes in 1948 and had four children: George Jr, Edward, Frank, and Theresa. She would later have three grandchildren: Michael, George, and Andrew. After the death of her husband in 1975, Mary eventually met Joseph Cicero (1930-2022) and she would spend the rest of her life as his best friend and companion. They enjoyed traveling and simply spending time together. Their families mixed over the years and everyone knew each other - even though Mary and Joe never married.
Mary enjoyed the last 22 years of her life living with her daughter Theresa and her grandson Andrew. A white Brittany Spaniel named Ginger and various parakeets were added to the mix as well. In 2010, Mary started experiencing very small memory issues. These issues eventually turned into Alzheimer's/dementia and claimed Mary's life on October 29th, 2015. She left behind her daughter, two sons, grandsons, Joe, many nieces and nephews, and a large number of friends. The 4th of July will never be the same. ∼
Obituary (Published October 31st, 2015 in the Sun-Times):
Hayes, Mary Rita (nee Byrne) Age 90. Retired lunchroom manager for CPS. Wife of the late George; devoted love of Joseph Cicero; cherished mother of George, the late Edward, Frank and Terrie; loving grandmother of Andrew, George and Michael; best friend of Ginger, her dear dog. Visitation Sunday, November 1st, from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m., at Olson Burke/Sullivan Funeral and Cremation Center, 6471 N. Northwest Hwy. (one block north of Devon), Chicago. Funeral from Olson Burke/Sullivan on Monday, November 2nd, at 10:45 a.m., to St. Eugene Church, 7958 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, for 11:30 a.m. Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Info 773-774-3333. ∼
Joseph Cicero Find a Grave Memorial: 239794172
Mary spent 34 years at 2701 W. Polk Street in Chicago before moving to various other addresses on Chicago's west and northwest sides. She married George Hayes in 1948 and had four children: George Jr, Edward, Frank, and Theresa. She would later have three grandchildren: Michael, George, and Andrew. After the death of her husband in 1975, Mary eventually met Joseph Cicero (1930-2022) and she would spend the rest of her life as his best friend and companion. They enjoyed traveling and simply spending time together. Their families mixed over the years and everyone knew each other - even though Mary and Joe never married.
Mary enjoyed the last 22 years of her life living with her daughter Theresa and her grandson Andrew. A white Brittany Spaniel named Ginger and various parakeets were added to the mix as well. In 2010, Mary started experiencing very small memory issues. These issues eventually turned into Alzheimer's/dementia and claimed Mary's life on October 29th, 2015. She left behind her daughter, two sons, grandsons, Joe, many nieces and nephews, and a large number of friends. The 4th of July will never be the same. ∼
Obituary (Published October 31st, 2015 in the Sun-Times):
Hayes, Mary Rita (nee Byrne) Age 90. Retired lunchroom manager for CPS. Wife of the late George; devoted love of Joseph Cicero; cherished mother of George, the late Edward, Frank and Terrie; loving grandmother of Andrew, George and Michael; best friend of Ginger, her dear dog. Visitation Sunday, November 1st, from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m., at Olson Burke/Sullivan Funeral and Cremation Center, 6471 N. Northwest Hwy. (one block north of Devon), Chicago. Funeral from Olson Burke/Sullivan on Monday, November 2nd, at 10:45 a.m., to St. Eugene Church, 7958 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, for 11:30 a.m. Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Info 773-774-3333. ∼
Joseph Cicero Find a Grave Memorial: 239794172
Mary Rita Hayes was born Rita Byrne on July 4th, 1925 to Edward and Margaret Byrne (nee Downs). Her Grandmother Margaret Downs (A Chicago fire survivor) did not like the name Rita and insisted on calling her Mary. Mary was the youngest of 9 siblings and would spend much of her early life caring for her Mother and Grandmother. As a young girl, Mary enjoyed roller skating and roaming around the west side of Chicago. She attended the "Century of Progress" at the age of 7 and recalled viewing Pioneer Zephyr - the famous streamlined locomotive. She completed grade school at Precious Blood School and attended Manley High School for 3 years. Mary loved to work and delivered telegrams, worked at National Biscuit company, and served as a telephone operator. She would eventually take a job as a lunchroom manager with Chicago Public Schools - a job that she was very fond of. One of her longest assignments was Francis Scott Key elementary.
Mary spent 34 years at 2701 W. Polk Street in Chicago before moving to various other addresses on Chicago's west and northwest sides. She married George Hayes in 1948 and had four children: George Jr, Edward, Frank, and Theresa. She would later have three grandchildren: Michael, George, and Andrew. After the death of her husband in 1975, Mary eventually met Joseph Cicero (1930-2022) and she would spend the rest of her life as his best friend and companion. They enjoyed traveling and simply spending time together. Their families mixed over the years and everyone knew each other - even though Mary and Joe never married.
Mary enjoyed the last 22 years of her life living with her daughter Theresa and her grandson Andrew. A white Brittany Spaniel named Ginger and various parakeets were added to the mix as well. In 2010, Mary started experiencing very small memory issues. These issues eventually turned into Alzheimer's/dementia and claimed Mary's life on October 29th, 2015. She left behind her daughter, two sons, grandsons, Joe, many nieces and nephews, and a large number of friends. The 4th of July will never be the same. ∼
Obituary (Published October 31st, 2015 in the Sun-Times):
Hayes, Mary Rita (nee Byrne) Age 90. Retired lunchroom manager for CPS. Wife of the late George; devoted love of Joseph Cicero; cherished mother of George, the late Edward, Frank and Terrie; loving grandmother of Andrew, George and Michael; best friend of Ginger, her dear dog. Visitation Sunday, November 1st, from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m., at Olson Burke/Sullivan Funeral and Cremation Center, 6471 N. Northwest Hwy. (one block north of Devon), Chicago. Funeral from Olson Burke/Sullivan on Monday, November 2nd, at 10:45 a.m., to St. Eugene Church, 7958 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, for 11:30 a.m. Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Info 773-774-3333. ∼
Joseph Cicero Find a Grave Memorial: 239794172
Mary spent 34 years at 2701 W. Polk Street in Chicago before moving to various other addresses on Chicago's west and northwest sides. She married George Hayes in 1948 and had four children: George Jr, Edward, Frank, and Theresa. She would later have three grandchildren: Michael, George, and Andrew. After the death of her husband in 1975, Mary eventually met Joseph Cicero (1930-2022) and she would spend the rest of her life as his best friend and companion. They enjoyed traveling and simply spending time together. Their families mixed over the years and everyone knew each other - even though Mary and Joe never married.
Mary enjoyed the last 22 years of her life living with her daughter Theresa and her grandson Andrew. A white Brittany Spaniel named Ginger and various parakeets were added to the mix as well. In 2010, Mary started experiencing very small memory issues. These issues eventually turned into Alzheimer's/dementia and claimed Mary's life on October 29th, 2015. She left behind her daughter, two sons, grandsons, Joe, many nieces and nephews, and a large number of friends. The 4th of July will never be the same. ∼
Obituary (Published October 31st, 2015 in the Sun-Times):
Hayes, Mary Rita (nee Byrne) Age 90. Retired lunchroom manager for CPS. Wife of the late George; devoted love of Joseph Cicero; cherished mother of George, the late Edward, Frank and Terrie; loving grandmother of Andrew, George and Michael; best friend of Ginger, her dear dog. Visitation Sunday, November 1st, from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m., at Olson Burke/Sullivan Funeral and Cremation Center, 6471 N. Northwest Hwy. (one block north of Devon), Chicago. Funeral from Olson Burke/Sullivan on Monday, November 2nd, at 10:45 a.m., to St. Eugene Church, 7958 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, for 11:30 a.m. Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Info 773-774-3333. ∼
Joseph Cicero Find a Grave Memorial: 239794172
Inscription
Mother - Gram
Mary Rita Hayes
July 4. 1925 - Oct. 29th. 2015
