Mary M Reed

Beloved wife of the late John Reed and the late James M. Forkins, she passed away January 30, 2021 at Lutheran General Hospital.

Born in Detroit on September 6, 1923, daughter of the late Fern Allmand Mollica and Stephen Mollica, MD. Loving Mother of Patricia (John Carley) Callaghan, Theresa (late Charles) Janovsky, James “Marc” (Deb) Forkins, Jr., Stephen (Suzanne) Forkins, and Elizabeth (Ross) Harano. Cherished grandmother of Daniel Callaghan, Jr., Kerry Wright, Erin Booth, Sarah Foster, Andrew Janovsky, Kathryn Thomas, Kyna Williams, Jamey Forkins, Gregory Forkins, Ryan O’Halleran, Morgan O’Halleran, Michelle Kolak, Michael Harano, and Mark Harano. She has two remaining stepchildren, John Reed, Jr. and Marilyn Reed of Seattle. “Grandma Peggy” was a great and great-great grandmother, and she was a treasured friend to many.

Growing up in Detroit, St. Louis, and Muskogee, Mary Margaret graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1944. She earned her Master’s in Public Health at the University of Michigan in 1946, where she met her first husband. They moved to Chicago and then in 1954 to Des Plaines. She most recently lived independently at Brookdale Des Plaines.

Mary Margaret had a genuine interest in people and in the world around her. She enjoyed staying up with current events, which her friends in the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the League of Women Voters will attest. She was a member of Chapter KK-NI of PEO and Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed needlework and baking. One of her great joys was playing Bridge, first with her husband John Reed and later with friends as partners. She continued playing regularly in several bridge clubs until her failing eyesight limited play.

A memorial Mass is scheduled for February 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Raymond de Penafort in Mount Prospect following visitation at the Church. Seating is limited, and the Memorial Mass will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person – to do so please contact Oehler Funeral Home for the link. Interment will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lighthouse for the Blind (www.ChicagoLighthouse.org). Arrangements by Oehler Funeral Home, (847) 824-5155.