Gail Marie Reilly

Gail Reilly was a force of nature: not a raindrop but a torrent; not a breeze but a cyclone; not a spark but an inferno. She inspired countless people with her simple life lessons as a second mother to the neighborhood rabble and surrogate grandmother to a brood of cousins. In short, Gail was a fierce spitfire with a heart of gold and a wealth of unmatched wisdom, however enigmatic her insight may have occasionally been.

At 7:03 p.m. on May 14th, 2023, Gail M. (nee Wlodkowski) Reilly experienced her final Mother’s Day and passed away in Glenview, Illinois, leaving us before we could possibly be ready. A lifelong resident of Chicago, Gail is survived by her husband, Robert Reilly; son, Ryan (Kathryn) Reilly; granddaughter, Avaleigh Reilly; step-children John (Dean) Reilly, Roxanne (Sharon) Reilly, Patrick (Cheryl) Reilly, Bobbie (nee Reilly) Wilson, and late Diane Reilly; numerous step-grandchildren, cousins, and godchildren across generations; beloved in-laws; a cavalcade of friends and acquaintances, and a host of grocery store clerks throughout the Midwest that have collectively breathed a perplexing sigh of relief.

She had a difficult life marked by losses spanning from parental and medical to vocational and financial, yet no matter how hard life knocked her down, Gail always got back up stronger than before, all the while being a shining beacon for those of us fortunate enough to be in her orbit. If so inspired, Gail could convince an earthquake to turn down the noise or the sun itself to shut off, but she only used her powers for good… or to stop the nonsense and get a better price. Wherever she finds herself next, woe be to whoever fails to keep her coffee hot!

Friends and family will gather for a wake that will be held at Malec and Sons Funeral Home, 6000 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60646, on Thursday, May 18th, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Memorial the following morning at 10:30 a.m..

In lieu of flowers, tell somebody how you really feel… and put the cap back on the milk before it spoils! For more info. call 773-774-4100 or visit www.MalecandSonsFH.com.