Margaret Claeys
Age - 99
November 26, 2023
Margaret ClaeysMargaret Claeys, 99, died November 23, 2023, at her home, surrounded by family. She was affectionally known as Mom, Ma, Mama, Mumsie, Grandma, and Gigi. She was born in Mishawaka, IN in 1924. After graduating from Mishawaka High School, she served as a naval cadet nurse in Oakland California during World War II. In 1948 she met class president and Army Captain Marvin Claeys on a blind date, and they were married in 1949. In 1954 she retired from nursing to focus on her growing family. Over the following years she served in various volunteer organizations, including as president of the AFS foreign exchange student program and St. Edna Catholic Church as greeter until 94 when she could no longer drive. She also visited residents and co-led discussion groups at Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights, IL for over 40 years and twice received their Volunteer Service Award. An accomplished artist, Margaret painted over 100 scenes, many of them of places that were dear to her or the person she gave the painting to. She was an avid reader and a member of many book clubs into her late 90s. She was always dressed to the nines, even on the simplest errands or on FaceTime calls on her iPad with friends and family. A lifelong Notre Dame supporter, she attended many football games from childhood on and later in life never missed a game on TV. Christmas and the 4th of July were important family times. She had close relationships with lifelong friends and numerous nieces and nephews. She was always playful and smiled and laughed easily. Her phenomenal memory enriched our lives with treasured family lore. She loved opera, classical music, chocolate, and Barnaby's pizza. Margaret stayed on top of her health, including walking miles a day well into her 90's. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents Peter and Pearl, husband Marvin, daughter Susan, and her five siblings and their spouses Clem (Kay), Bob (Peggy), Lou (Roxy), Mary Elizabeth, Paula (Ray). She is survived by her children Peter (Karen), Claudia (Bob), Diane (Doug), Eric (Susan), Tom (Jeanne), AFS daughter Shirley (Carl), and former son-in-law Willy; grandchildren Andrea, Sarah (Sam), Claire (Evan), Gina, Leslie, Louis, Jeffrey, Nathan (Alexia), Kevin, Keith; great-grandchildren Gavin, Emmett, Jacob, Emily, Eva, Kayla, and Damian. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd. , 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd. , Arlington Heights, IL 60004 and on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 9:00 am until time of Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at St. Edna Catholic Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Rd. , Arlington Heights, IL, 60004. Interment is private. Although Margaret did not have Alzheimer's, she participated for years in a research study with Rush University aimed at finding a cure for Alzheimer's. Donations may be given to Alzheimer's Association, act. alz. org.Show more
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