Mary Kathryn Hartigan OBITUARY

Mary Kathryn Hartigan OBITUARY

Mary Kathryn Hartigan (née Carroll), 91, of Kenilworth, Illinois, passed away on July 1. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she was a civically engaged resident of Kenilworth, her home for more than 57 years, and a longtime benefactor of many Chicago cultural institutions. A graduate of St. Mary’s College, she taught elementary school in Seville, Spain, and Chicago, Illinois, before marrying her beloved late husband, John Michael Hartigan, a lawyer and son of a prominent Chicago judge. Mary Kathryn was blessed with a driving determination to excel at everything she did, from hosting elaborate dinner parties for family and friends to her laser focus on the financial markets, where she was regarded as an investing whiz. Underscoring her lifelong commitment to preserving the tight-knit community she valued, she was elected to two terms as a Kenilworth Village Trustee in the 1970s and 80s. She always found a way to accomplish her goals, whether it was founding a soccer club in the 1970s that introduced countless North Shore children to the sport, driving cross-country, or spearheading major renovation projects for her family from coast to coast. An avid sportswoman, her favorite hobbies included skiing and racket sports. True to her tenacious spirit, after breaking her hip in a fall on the pickleball court at age 86, she was back dinking again just ten months later and continued to play until she was 89. Throughout her life, Mary Kathryn nurtured her keen appreciation for the arts. She was a generous benefactor to Steppenwolf Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and The Art Institute of Chicago, where she served on the Board’s Committee on European Decorative Arts and was a member of the Antiquarian Society. She was also a patron of the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, which she frequented during her visits to her home in Snowmass, Colorado. Pairing well with her appreciation for culture, Mary Kathryn loved to travel, whether it was overseas or to her other homes in San Francisco, California, and Vero Beach, Florida. She was a longtime member of John’s Island Club, Sunset Ridge Country Club, and the Fortnightly of Chicago. Underlying everything, she was a woman of deep faith. Her faith was her guidepost and carried her through difficult times. Her family will rely on this faith to get through this period of loss. Mary Kathryn was predeceased by her husband, John, and, recently, by her beloved daughter, Mary. She is survived by her children, Eileen (Joe) Madigan and Carol (the late John) Prince, and John. She was fondly known as “GrandMary” to Mary Carol (Tom) Falk, Joseph, Michael, and Kathryn Madigan, and Jack and James Prince, all of whom were her pride and joy. She is also survived by her dear sister Margie (Dennis) Flynn, many nieces and nephews, and her wonderful extended family and friends. Visitation Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m. until time of an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church, 191 Linden Street, Winnetka, IL 60093. Following the Mass, we will continue the celebration of her life with a luncheon at Glen View Club. Interment private at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Northbrook, IL. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or 847-675-1990