Nora McGrath

Nora M. McGrath

(nee Kennedy)

Late of Florence Twp., Wilmington, passed away peacefully Monday September 22, 2008 at her farm home where she was born 98 years ago to the late James J. and Ella McGovern-Kennedy.

The oldest Alumnus of Wilmington High School, graduating in 1928, Nora attended Normal University and graduated from Pestolozzi Institute of Chicago, where she earned a B.A. degree in Elementary Education. In April of 1941, Nora married Patrick McGrath in St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, where Nora was a life member. Together they engaged in farming throughout the years, as the family still does today. Nora taught for many years, which included Green Garden Twp. (1928-1929), White School, Florence Twp. (1929-1941), Moulton School (1948-1950) and then in the Wilmington School System until her retirement in 1972, where she continued to substitute teach at Booth Central School for an additional 10 years after retirement. Nora loved gardening, sewing, reading and her family and friends. She was also known as a very special caregiver to many.

Survivors include her loving daughter Mary Ellen McGrath; special niece Ellen Tulley and two sisters-in-law: Betty Kennedy of Wilmington and Edna "Ginger" Kennedy of Joliet, as well as numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Nora was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Joseph J. McGrath; two sisters: Mary Loretta Tulley and Katherine Elizabeth "Bessie" Kennedy; triplet brothers: Lawrence Thomas, John Martin and James Leo Kennedy, also William Chester and Francis Xavier Kennedy.

Visitation will be held on Friday September 26, 2008 between the hours of 3:00PM and 7:00PM and Saturday September 27th from 9:00AM until 9:30AM at Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet Street (two blocks North of Illinois Route 53 / Baltimore Street) in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Saturday at 10:00AM in St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Rev. Steve Bondi officiating.

Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Kankakee.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Nora's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, Wilmington High School Foundation for Excellence or Vitas Hospice, 210 N. Hammes Ave., Joliet, IL 60435.

Friends may sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-7621)