Barbara Ann Kuehn

Barbara Ann Kuehn (Maresso), 88 of Woodridge and formerly of Chicago (Andersonville) passed away very peacefully on February 23, 2024. Barbara was born on August 5, 1935 in Chicago during the Great Depression era to Frank and Evelyn (nee Coles) Maresso.

Barbara attended Catholic schools in Chicago in her youth, including Alvernia High School (Chicago) and Alverno College (Milwaukee). During this time, Barbara became a novice on her way to becoming a nun of the Franciscan Order of Roman Catholics. It was also during this time that Barbara Ann attended a dance with her friends in the lakefront ballroom at the now historical Edgewater Beach Hotel. This same dance was attended by John Kuehn who would later retell that it was Barbara's eyes that initially drew him to her and he asked her to dance.

John would soon propose marriage to Barbara and they were married in 1955 at St. Gregory the Great Church and together they purchased a home very close to the church and schools. It was there they raised six children inside this robust Catholic parish.

After her husband John Kuehn, Sr. passed in 2009, Barbara became a resident of Woodridge, IL where she enjoyed library visits, spa pedicures, sipping warm tea, and even many Woodridge bike trail walks utilizing her walker where often joggers passing Barbara and her daughters by, would see Barbara's intent focus and speed, and then smile at her and joyfully say "You go girl!" Mom also often enjoyed fresh flowers, reading the dictionary (checking off the words), and looking contently at the sky while often commenting on the clouds, birds, planes and their vapor trails.

Many people who cared Barbara in her final years most often commented on her soulful eyes, beautiful ear to ear smile, and how sweet she was (even when she was struggling).

Barbara's last smile was the night before she passed and was just before she closed her eyes to sleep for the night, and she saw the almost perfectly full moon through her hospital window and heard the words "Look Mom! Che bella luna!" (Italian, "what a beautiful moon!"). And Barbara smiled her always beautiful & memorable smile one last time then closed her eyes and went to sleep until she passed away very peacefully the next day.

Barbara is survived by her loving children Joanne Kuehn, Joseph Kuehn, Mary (Timothy) McIlvain, John (Lida) Kuehn, Larry (Maria) Kuehn, and Michael (Dolly) Kuehn, her adoring grandchildren Taylor Kuehn, Scott Kuehn, Stephanie Kuehn, Justin Kuehn, Lauren Kuehn, and Brittany Kuehn, and her special niece and caretaker/nurse Karen Bell, and many other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband John W. Kuehn, Sr., her parents and her siblings Joan Bell and Frank Maresso.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 2 from 10 am – 12 pm with a funeral service to begin at 12 pm both at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625. She will be laid to rest next to her loving husband John at Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 N. Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660.

Fond memories may be expressed at www.drakeandsonfuneralhome.com