Mary Ellen (Fogarty) Walker of Huntley, IL and Fort Myers, FL entered Heaven on July 8, 2020. Her final days were spent surrounded by her family.
Mary Ellen was born on August 15, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York to Thomas and Gertrude (Brunner) Fogarty. The family moved to Oak Park, IL in 1953.
After graduating from Oak Park High School, Mary Ellen continued her education at Rosary College in River Forest. During her time in college, Mary Ellen met her one true love, Dr. Jerome Walker.
Mary Ellen and Jerry were married on June 3, 1961. Together, they had 59 wonderful years in Inverness and Huntley, IL where they lovingly raised their eight children. Since retirement, they have enjoyed winters in Fort Myers, FL.
Mary Ellen was a devoted wife and mother and a faithful Roman Catholic. She always found time for her children and grandchildren, who lovingly called her Nana.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband, Dr. Jerome Walker; her sister and brother-in-law, June and John Quirk; her eight children and their spouses, Kathleen Dillavou, Jerry and Theresa Walker, Jeanne Walker, Sherri and Ron Page, Timothy and Bridget Walker, MaryAnn Willing, Michael and Jamie Walker, and Christine and James Gresik; and nineteen grandchildren, Kourtney, Travis, Shannon, Marissa, Merlot, Mallorie, Tristan, Justen, Logan, Erin, Daniel, Kassidy, Katelyn, Brayden, Regan, Shane, Madison, Cameron, and Grayson.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Gertrude Fogarty; her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Donald Hoeg; and her sister, Virginia Salerno.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2020, from 3:00 - 7:00 pm at DeFiore Funeral Home located at 10763 Dundee Road in Huntley, IL. The Celebration of Life Mass will take place on Monday, July 13, 2020, at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road in Huntley, IL. The family suggests sending memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. https://donate3.cancer.org/?giftType=hon&giftTypeMonthlyDisplay=0&_ga=2.9887030.2016551548.1594310047-1582992883.1594310047
For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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To my beautiful, vibrant and loving Mom...I miss you so much my heart hurts because a part of it left with you when you went to heaven... When you are born you are not given a manual on how to live your life well. You are given a very special Mother. Love you Mom forever and always!♥️
May your beloved mother be at rest and you and your entire family find peace.
I’m so very sorry for the loss of such an amazing lady. Your family is in my prayers. God Bless you all.
Tim, Bridget, Erin, Regan and family, we are so sorry for your loss. The times we met your beautiful Mom, she always had a smile on her face. Lovely. Our sincerest condolences and prayers. Mrs. Walker already basks in His Light. God Bless.
To the entire Walker Family, I am beyond sorry for your loss. She is a great one. She’ll be missed by me And so many. I always enjoyed her company at MaryAnns house. You could tell she lived for you, your Dad and grandchildren. She always had a twinkle in her eye ... you could tell she loved you all very much. May love and peace surround you all at this time.
Our deepest sympathy for the entire Walker family. You are in our daily prayers. May your mother rest in peace.
May Mrs. Walker rest in peace and may the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you and your family now and in the days ahead.
Sherri, Ron and family: we are so sorry for your loss. Your mom was so full of life, kind, and always fun to talk to at family parties. She will be missed.
To the Walker family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Walker was such a kind person who always had a smile on her face and was a joy to be around. Praying for your family and may she rest in peace
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved mom/grandma. You will be missed by many and hope you find peace knowing she is at rest in heaven. Many hugs and prayers being sent to your family.
You loved and cared for us like only a mother and nana could. Enjoy your eternal life in God's hands and looking forward to seeing you again some day.
Sending prayers and comfort to the entire Walker Family and especially my dear friend Mary Ann. Mrs. Walker was a beautiful soul. How lucky your family was to have her. She will continue to shine down on you all from heaven.
Jeanne, Merlot, Tristen, and the entire Walker Family, words fail to express my Sorrow for your loss. Mary Ellen was an amazing Mother and a incredible role model. She made a difference is every life she touched. I feel truly blessed to have had the privilege of knowing her. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all of you.
To my Walker cousins and families, my sincere condolences and heartbreak to each of you. Your mom was so very special and kind to me throughout my whole life and I am lucky to have known and loved her too. My mom's best friend forever. Sweet Aunt Mary will be missed so much.
Mary Ann and the Walker family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was always so kind and such a lovely person. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you.
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved mom/grandma. You will be missed by many and hope you find peace knowing she is at rest in heaven. Many hugs and prayers being sent to your family.
Praying for all of you - and the loss of this beautiful woman. May God take her in His arms as she meets up with those who have gone before. I think my sweet Nana (Pat Hoeg) will take care of her now.
Our hearts are broken at the loss of this beautiful woman...Jerry, Kathleen, Jerry, Jeanne, Sherri, Tim, Mary Ann, Michael, Christine & wonderful grandchildren, how lucky you are to have been loved by her! The world is a lesser place without her. Don & I will never cease thinking of her & we will miss her for the rest of our lives. Godspeed, Aunt Mary...
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved mom/grandma. You will be missed by many and hope you find peace knowing she is at rest in heaven. Many hugs and prayers being sent to your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom sounds like a wonderful woman. May she be lovingly embraced by Our Heavenly Father and may He bring comfort to all those who mourn her passing.
Our sympathy and condolences to this beautiful family. Our prayers are with you all for peace, knowing that Mary Ellen is in a beautiful place and that someday, you will be together again.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your mom. It is such a difficult time but all your memories and knowing how much she was loved and loved you all should bring you some comfort. My thoughts are with you all.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Walker family.
Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your dear wife, mother and grandmother. We will miss her, she was a special lady who brought joy, common sense and thoughtfulness to all who were privileged to know her and call her friend. We will keep you all in our prayers.
My very sincere condolences and prayer to you Dr. Walker and your entire family. Mart Ellen always brightened up the office when ever she graced us with her visits.
My deepest condolences to the entire Walker family. I have wonderful memories of Mrs Walker being happy and spunky! May your loving memories give you comfort.
My deepest condolences to the entire Walker family. I have wonderful memories of Mrs Walker being happy and spunky! May your loving memories give you comfort.
No one was ever as special as Mary Ellen both to my Mom and Dad. May God Bless her and care for her and may she be at peace with Mom, Dad, Nana, Gramps and Ginnie. Much love. Renee and Tom, Rick, Tommy, Katie and Patti
Jerry and family, so sorry for your loss. We will surely miss Mary Ellen’s bright smile.
To Dr Walker, and Family, We send our deepest sympathy to all of you. Mary Ellen was such a nice lady. Always so down to earth, and easy to talk with. Please know you are in our thoughts, and prayers. Sincerely, Pete & Kathy Sherman
My deepest condolences to the entire Walker family. I have wonderful memories of Mrs Walker being happy and spunky! May your loving memories give you comfort.
My condolences to the entire Walker family. Your mother always had a smile on her face and made sure everyone else did as well. Kelly and I have nothing but fond memories of her. God Bless you all and your families.
Thoughts and prayers to your family at this time. Aunt Mary only showed kindness and open arms of acceptance. She was a light next to Uncle Jerry and a joy to be around. God bless and Rest In Peace.
Dear family, My deepest condolences to the entire family. I recall as a young child age 5 meeting Mary Ellen for the first time at Aunt Gladys's house. She was so beautiful and kind! I recall thinking what a lovely couple! Like two movie stars! I observed Mary Ellen and Jerry sitting close together at Christmas dinner. Giggling,smiling seeming excited in anticipation of starting their new life story together..... What a story it is! I will continue to keep the Walker family in my thoughts and prayers! Love, GiGi Elliott Wernikoff and Steve
My deepest sympathy to JERRY and the entire Walker family. Mary Ellen was like a ray of sunshine. I will miss her but know she is in Gods hands and someday we will meet again I hope.
My condolences to the entire Walker family. Your mother always had a smile on her face and made sure everyone else did as well. Kelly and I have nothing but fond memories of her. God Bless you all and your families.
Dr. Walker, Kathleen, Jerry, Jeanne, Sherry, Tim, Michael, Maryanne, Christine and families - you are in my thoughts and prayers. She was vibrant and lived life fully, and will be missed by so many. The Lord has called her home, how fitting 2 rainbows came to light the path. May your memories give you strength and peace. Sharing a verse - Miss Me, But Let me Go When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, Why cry for a soul set free. Miss me a little - but not too long and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me - but let me go. For this is a journey that we all must take and each one must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds Miss me - but let me go.
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved mom/grandma. You will be missed by many and hope you find peace knowing she is at rest in heaven. Many hugs and prayers being sent to your family.
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved mom/grandma. You will be missed by many and hope you find peace knowing she is at rest in heaven. Many hugs and prayers being sent to your family.
I’m so very sorry for the loss of such an amazing lady. Your family is in my prayers. God Bless you all.
Aunt Mary was very special to me. Take comfort in knowing she is among family and friends once again. May God bless her and keep her safe.
Our deepest sympathy to Jerry and all the family. May you take comfort in knowing that Mary Ellen is at peace with God.
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved wife and mother, Mary Ellen. She was a lovely lady with a beautiful smile. I will pray for your peace and courage during this very sad time.
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved wife and mother, Mary Ellen. She was a lovely lady with a beautiful smile. I will pray for your peace and courage during this very sad time.
The Mikuta family sends their condolences to your entire family. I have very fond memories of being welcomed in your home by Mrs. Walker as I grew up with Jeanne. I can remember her voice, smile, energy and how she braided the girls’ hair everyday for school!
My condolences to the Walker family. I hope you all can remember the great times. Peace.
It was an absolute treat that I got to sit down and eat lunch last March with Mary Ellen, and got to hear stories of their childhood along with June. Hearing all the funny stories of my own nana Pat we’re a fascinating delight, and I’m very thankful for that. I was so sad to hear this news, and I’m thinking of Mary Ellen and the family. Hope I can see you all again soon and tell more stories together. Much love. ❤️
The Walker Family was blessed with an exceptional treasure of a wife, mother and grandmother. I am so sorry and saddened by your loss, but pray that you will continue to be blessed with beautiful memories as you all hold her in your hearts. Mary Ellen was instrumental in the greatest blessing of my life, I continue to hold her in my heart. God bless your wonderful family.
Dear Dr. Walker, Kathleen, Jerry, Jeanne, Sherri, Timothy, Mary Ann, Michael, Christine, and Family, As the Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus, I offer you the sympathy and prayers of the Saint Viator/Sacred Heart of Mary High School community, as well as my own, as you celebrate the life of a devoted Wife, a devoted Mother, and a loving Nana, and as you deal with the loss of her physical presence in your lives. The great photo you chose for the DeFiore website is just how I remember Mary Ellen, always with a great smile and a little twinkle in her eye. Reading the loving condolences posted on the funeral home site brought to mind an adaptation of a reading from the book of Sirach. Let us praise an illustrious woman, faithful to her family and friends, strong in her love. At peace in her heart and her world, she has left us her good name, and we recount her life of praiseworthy deeds. A generous woman her good works will never be forgotten. Among her family and friends there remains a rich inheritance born of her…. Her name lives on from generation to generation. We gather to sing her praises. We will proclaim her wisdom and love of life all our days. Our hearts go out to you as you move through your journey of grief. We pray for you as you continue to share the stories, laugh and cry, and find ways to celebrate your Wife/Mother/Nana and the love you shared. May memories of Mary Ellen and the love you shared comfort you! May the knowledge Mary Ellen lives on in your goodness give you peace and hope! Take care and God bless you with the gifts you most need! Judy Judith Wampach Amberg - Saint Viator Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus
Remembering Mary Ellen with friendship and affection on the first anniversary of her passing. We were fortunate to live next door in Huntley for her last five years. May her many family members honor her by giving, laughing and loving in the years ahead!