Ethelrita Gleeson

Ethelrita "Retzie" Gleeson was born January 11,1930 in Chicago and died peacefully on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the home of her niece in Gurnee, Illinois after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by many members of her family at the time of her death. Miss Gleeson was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel (Coniker) Gleeson and Francis D. Gleeson, her young sister, Peggy Ann Gleeson, and her loving brother, Robert Gleeson. She is survived by her sister-in law, Carolyn Gleeson of Gurnee, niece Kathleen Rafferty of Mundelein, nephew Michael Gleeson of Gurnee, niece Karen (George) Behr of Gurnee, nephew Daniel (Karyn) Gleeson of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin and eighteen great-nieces and great-nephews and three great-great nieces and nephews who loved her very much. Miss Gleeson was employed for thirty-five years at Sieber & McIntyre in Chicago where she rose to the position of Senior Vice President, She was instrumental in the growth of the business and its international expansion, most notably in Japan, to which Miss Gleeson travelled more than thirty times. Miss Gleeson was a devout parishioner at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Chicago for many years. She gave generously to many charities, volunteered at the Mercy Home, and spent much of her free time assisting and caring for aging relatives and friends. She had a great love of travel and visited every continent except Antarctica. In her retirement, she shared her love of travel with many of her great-nieces and great-nephews. She took them on many wonderful trips and spent many wonderful times together. Visitation will be at Marsh Funeral Home 305 N. Cemetery Road in Gurnee on Monday, August 26, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral Tuesday August 27 beginning with prayers at the funeral home at 9:15 AM and proceeding St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 6401 Gages Lake Road in Gurnee for funeral mass at 10:00 AM. Private burial will take place at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls 1140 W. Jackson Boulevard Chicago, IL 60607. Funeral info 847-336-0127 or marshfuneralhome.com.