Mary K Schmuttenmaer

A Life Well Lived.....

Mary Kathleen Egan Schmuttenmaer left this earthly world May 18, 2026, after a few weeks illness.  She was 91 years young.  She was a beloved daughter, sister, Mom, Gram, Great-Gram, aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and a dear friend to so very many loved ones.

Those who met her during her John Marshall Law School years in the 1970’s, her 40 year career at Chicago Title and Trust, or her 10 years of retirement, know her as Mary.

Those who met her during her early married years, her years teaching at Nazareth High School, her years at Loyola University Honors College, Trinity High School and Ascension Elementary School know her as Mary Kay.

Although there are some photos from her early years marked “Kate”, that name did not seem to catch on.

And there is a select family group that call her Sixie to this day.  The nickname arose when she was born, and was in bed number 6 in the hospital nursery, because her parents, George and Kathleen, had not settled on a name yet.  Hearing “Sixie” always brought a smile to her face.

However you knew her, Mary was interested in YOU.

Her devotion and loyalty to family and friends is notable.  She consistently maintained the effort to keep in touch with loved ones.  She arranged family gatherings when her children Claire or Charlie came home to visit.  And she visited regularly with those who were ill or in need of comfort.  When she saw an unmet need she was ready to pitch in and help, typically without being asked.

Mary was devoted to lifelong learning and enjoyment of the arts.  Book clubs, poetry club, architecture, travel, history, legal updates; and attendance at theater, symphony, opera, movies and museums were some of her cultural pursuits.  She relished discussing scientific advancements with Charlie and brother-in-law Tom.  She continually drew interesting people into her circle.

Mary was an eager and avid conversationalist, on almost any topic.  While she held many strong opinions, she was usually able to empathize with someone     who held opposite views.  If not, it was a subject better not discussed!

Like all of us, Mary’s life had hardships and obstacles.  She lost her dad before she was married, her mom before she was 30, and both siblings by her mid-50’s.  She survived her sons Charlie, Marty and Mike, and her husband Hubert. 

Her third pregnancy in 1964 was complicated by infection with German measles.  Marty was born profoundly deaf and with severe developmental delays.  She and Hubert found support with other families whose children were similarly impacted. As a result, Marty achieved success far beyond the doctor’s grim assessments at birth.  Mary remained involved in Marty’s care and residential placement throughout his adult life, and was sure to bring him home for a visit nearly every weekend, even when he lived over an hour away. 

Mary never lost sight of the man she fell in love with and married, even when behavioral health issues made marriage to Hubert impossible.  Although they were divorced in the eyes of the state, Mary continued to make sure his needs were met, and she cherished the days when his mood allowed for reminiscing about their lives together.

Mary did not dwell on her hardships.  After coping with initial feelings of loss or grief, she accepted her burdens and rose to each occasion, handling them with grace and pragmatism.

Mary touched the lives of many, and she will be dearly missed.

Mary is survived by her daughter Claire (John) Fitz, grandchildren Joseph Fitz, Amie (Pablo) Rocha, Laura (David) Kenyon, Joseph (Samantha) Schmuttenmaer and great-grandchildren Denzel and Charlotte Rocha, Noah and Miles Kenyon, Sophie, Rylee and Giacomo Schmuttenmaer, and dozens of nieces and nephews, and their families. 

Please join us at Ascension Church in Oak Park, Wednesday, July 15 at 9:30 for visitation, and 10:30 for mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the service agency that supported Marty during the latter years of his life:  Garden Center Services, 10444 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60655.

Mary was a fervent supporter of the Constitution.  So much so that she had a couple copies on her coffee table for easy reference.  Donations to the ACLU would also be appropriate.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.