Mary Lou Bennington

Mary Lou Bennington

Age 77 of Morris, Illinois, died Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Born September 27, 1946 in La Salle, Illinois, Mary Louise was a daughter of James and Angela (Ratkiewicz) Donnelly. She was raised and educated in La Salle and graduated from La Salle Peru High School with the Class of 1964. Mary Lou began working at a young age in the grocery store owned and operated by her parents in La Salle.

She was a devout Catholic and active parishioner with Immaculate Conception Church in Morris, where she worked as the church secretary for 10 years. Mary Lou was ever attentive to the congregants of the church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister for many years, and would often offer rides to  members of the church who were unable to drive themselves. She also served in the Council of Catholic Women for 27 years, volunteered her time at the Morris Lincoln Nursing Home where she called bingo, and was involved with the Children of Light organization for many years and would attend their annual retreats to aid the visually impaired. Mary Lou was involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, along with her husband Tom, and was proud to be a positive influence in young men and women's lives.

In her later years, she took great pleasure traveling with her husband Tom, both stateside and internationally. Travelling to Italy was a profound moment in Mary Lou's travels, leaving a lasting impression and treasured memories. Her cooking and baking skills were well known and she would always have something prepared to share with all of her family and friends. Mary Lou was a truly selfless person and was always looking out for the needs of others. She remembered every occasion and would always send a thoughtful card to recognize her friend's or family's birthday, anniversary, or any other life event. Mary Lou lived for her family and friends, especially her grandchildren who were precious to her, and dedicated herself to being of service to anyone who crossed her path.

Survivors include her son, Shawn (Lesley) McGuan of Morris, and her grandchildren, Kendall and Parker McGuan of Morris; three brothers and one sister: James (Mary Ellen) Donnelly of Richardson, Texas, Thomas Donnelly of Cocoa Beach, Florida, Pamela (the late Steven) Randol of Paducah, Kentucky, and Kevin (Victoria) Donnelly of Hinsdale, Illinois; her daughter-in-law, Stacey (Craig) Johnson of Coal City, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom Bennington, and her son, Jeff McGuan.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block east of Illinois Route 47), in Morris on Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at Immaculate Conception Church, 600 East Jackson Street, in Morris on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated with Reverend Jason Stone and Reverend Richard Smith presiding and Deacon Paul Jung assisting. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Morris.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Mary Lou's memory to the Alzheimer's Association or Lightways Hospice.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Mary Lou's memorial page via social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Morris (815) 942-2500.