Obituary for Ada Anderson
Mae Anderson, nee Brogan, 87, wife of Dick; mom of Maureen (Gary) Marlin, Colleen Broeski, Dan and the late Michael; grandma of Katie, Christopher, Caley (David) Titus, Casey, Jacob, Quinn, Callum and the late Billy; great grandma of Chandler, Kaidynn, Maddison, Brandon, Isabella, Tylee and Lilah; sister of the late Sister Maureen, SND, late Mickey (late Bud) and the late Francis A "Bud" (late Virginia) and daughter of the late Francis and late Ada Mae. Mae was a loyal and dear friend to many.
Ada Mae Anderson was born March 6, 1936 in Chicago to Francis and Ada Mae Brogan. The Brogan family were longtime parishioners of St. Robert Bellarmine in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood where Mae attended grammar school and then onto high school at Notre Dame High School for Girls, graduating in 1954. Her father and mother were originally from Vail, Iowa and so much wanted their kids to appreciate the country. They purchased a cabin and land in northern Minnesota (near International Falls) so the kids could appreciate the “fresh air”. Ironically, during a family vacation to the “country”, she invited a group of “Chicago boys” to come visit. These Chicago boys included Dickie Anderson….and the rest is history. Mae and Dickie were married May 4, 1957 at St. Robert Bellarmine and lived on Chicago’s Northwest side before finally purchasing their home in Schiller Park in 1961, where they raised four children. Mae was actively involved in the community, she helped create the church banners that would hang behind the altar wall as well as teaching dancing and volleyball for the Schiller Park Recreation department. No doubt mom was “chatty”, with that spirit, she was often the life of the party. We have lots of fun-loving memories of these fun times with mom. Even as late as 2022, Mae took up tequila “sipping” because it was the new rage. Mae comes from a lineage of deeply faithful people that were rooted in her Iowa family. This was a priority throughout her life, recently she was attending daily on-line mass, reciting the holy rosary and praying to St. Michael the Archangel. One of her wishes was for us as a community to pray the Holy Rosay, we will honor that as we celebrate her life. One common theme that family and friends attribute to Mae was her strength and positive outlook on everything. It was common for her children and grandchildren to engage with her in deep conversations where Mae often started out by listening and then mentoring with a gentle hand of encouragement and a positive outlook that everything will be ok. She was quite savvy with her phone, she loved texting and Face-Timing with her grandkids, it made her day to be connected to them. Even until her death, she always had the ability to absorb someone’s challenges as well as someone’s triumphs. What brings our family peace in on her last day, Thursday Oct 12, Dickie got released from the hospital and they had a wonderful, energy-filled day. All three kids spent time with them on the phone/in person and had our typical good conversation with lots of laughs. We are confident she is at home with God. As my mom would say “Love you more”.
Visitation Sunday 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge. Funeral Monday praying the rosary beginning at 8:30 am followed by 9:15 am prayers at the funeral home and processing to Holy Virgin Martyrs Parish 4157 Atlantic Ave. Schiller Park, IL. Mass 10:00 am. Cremation will be private at the Countryside Crematory. In lieu of flowers donations to the Sisters of Notre Dame De Namur 701 E Columbia Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45215 would be appreciated. 708-456-8300
Ada Mae Anderson was born March 6, 1936 in Chicago to Francis and Ada Mae Brogan. The Brogan family were longtime parishioners of St. Robert Bellarmine in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood where Mae attended grammar school and then onto high school at Notre Dame High School for Girls, graduating in 1954. Her father and mother were originally from Vail, Iowa and so much wanted their kids to appreciate the country. They purchased a cabin and land in northern Minnesota (near International Falls) so the kids could appreciate the “fresh air”. Ironically, during a family vacation to the “country”, she invited a group of “Chicago boys” to come visit. These Chicago boys included Dickie Anderson….and the rest is history. Mae and Dickie were married May 4, 1957 at St. Robert Bellarmine and lived on Chicago’s Northwest side before finally purchasing their home in Schiller Park in 1961, where they raised four children. Mae was actively involved in the community, she helped create the church banners that would hang behind the altar wall as well as teaching dancing and volleyball for the Schiller Park Recreation department. No doubt mom was “chatty”, with that spirit, she was often the life of the party. We have lots of fun-loving memories of these fun times with mom. Even as late as 2022, Mae took up tequila “sipping” because it was the new rage. Mae comes from a lineage of deeply faithful people that were rooted in her Iowa family. This was a priority throughout her life, recently she was attending daily on-line mass, reciting the holy rosary and praying to St. Michael the Archangel. One of her wishes was for us as a community to pray the Holy Rosay, we will honor that as we celebrate her life. One common theme that family and friends attribute to Mae was her strength and positive outlook on everything. It was common for her children and grandchildren to engage with her in deep conversations where Mae often started out by listening and then mentoring with a gentle hand of encouragement and a positive outlook that everything will be ok. She was quite savvy with her phone, she loved texting and Face-Timing with her grandkids, it made her day to be connected to them. Even until her death, she always had the ability to absorb someone’s challenges as well as someone’s triumphs. What brings our family peace in on her last day, Thursday Oct 12, Dickie got released from the hospital and they had a wonderful, energy-filled day. All three kids spent time with them on the phone/in person and had our typical good conversation with lots of laughs. We are confident she is at home with God. As my mom would say “Love you more”.
Visitation Sunday 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge. Funeral Monday praying the rosary beginning at 8:30 am followed by 9:15 am prayers at the funeral home and processing to Holy Virgin Martyrs Parish 4157 Atlantic Ave. Schiller Park, IL. Mass 10:00 am. Cremation will be private at the Countryside Crematory. In lieu of flowers donations to the Sisters of Notre Dame De Namur 701 E Columbia Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45215 would be appreciated. 708-456-8300