Verda Jane McCartney

After graduating from Marengo High School in 1949, Verda worked as a legal secretary for the Joslyn Law Firm in Woodstock before marrying Vernon McCartney in February of 1950. After the birth of her children, she was a stay-at-home mom until she reentered the workplace in 1964. She worked for McGill Metal Products and represented that company in a live broadcast of the CBS TV show “What’s My Line” in February 1966. She later worked as secretary and bookkeeper for Riley School and then for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she also taught catechism classes.

Verda enjoyed singing in the church choir, playing the organ, gardening, stamp collecting and planning family gatherings.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon, her daughters Kathleen and Susan, a brother, Robert Ray and her sisters, Valeria Schmeiding, Juanita Ray, Patsy Higgins and Mattie Jo Bailey. She is survived by her three sons, Donald of Forest Park, David (Xiaofang) of Naperville, Philip (Christina) of Belvidere, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation from 4 to 8pm on Thursday, December 14 at Marengo-Union Funeral Home, 505 E. Grant Highway, Marengo. Visitation will continue from 8:30 to 9:30am on Friday, December 15 at the funeral home. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 323 N. Taylor St., Marengo. Interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marengo.