Mary Jarvis

Mary Jarvis, 83, died peacefully at home on Friday, October 2, 2015, surrounded by her loving family who cared so very dearly for her throughout her struggle with Alzheimer's. Mary was born in Chicago, IL on August 21, 1932 to Patrick McNamara and Josephine (nee: Blum) McNamara. She grew up in the South Side of Chicago, and graduated from Kelly High School in 1950. Mary met her husband, George R. "Bob" Jarvis at the Chicago Train station as he was headed off to war. Mary noticed he was standing alone, when everyone else was surrounded by family and friends. Mary, not wanting this young, handsome man to be alone, she went up to him and asked if she could keep him company until his train departed. You could say it was love at first sight and they were married the day after her 19th birthday on August 22, 1951. Mary was a stay at home mom, raising 4 children. When the youngest was old enough to go to school, possessing a true servant's heart, Mary got a job at Laremont School in Gages Lake, IL as a Teacher's Aide with children of special needs. She used to say "Where else can you go to work, and get hugs and kisses every day!" Mary worked there 17 years from 1975-1992 and left only once her husband retired from Echo Products. Mary and Bob loved to travel and stared out tent camping with 4 children, later joining the Camper's Club and upgraded to a camper trailer. In 1987 they purchased a vacation home in the Northwoods of Wisconsin where they enjoyed the various seasons by the lake, cross county skiing, boating, and roasting marshmallows on the nearby island with their 9 grandchildren. They were fortunate to have traveled to all 50 states and over 27 Foreign countries which they enjoyed with family and friends. Mary and Bob also started the Lake County Treasure Hunt with a group of their friends, that were held in the 1970's in which hundreds of people would participate every Fall. Mary had an unwavering faith in God and was a former member of Wildwood Presbyterian Church and a current member of Faith Church in Grayslake and belonged to a Bible Study group that met weekly in their home. Mary was always known to open her heart and her home to family and friends. Mary possessed a contagious smile and an entertaining sense of humor that always had a way of making people laugh, whether through singing one of her many funny songs, wearing one of her many hats, or simply doing something that showed just how much she enjoyed life and laughter. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten and is a quality that most people who know her will always remember. Mary is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bob Jarvis, her children Tom (Lois) Jarvis, Ken (Sue) Jarvis, Carol (Doug) McDowell, and Mary Ann Jarvis, her grandchildren Andrew (Meredith), Ella, Robert, Amy, Christina (Jeremy), Esther, Diana (Jason), Wesley, and Lydia, her great-grandchildren Season, Shane, Amaris, Ezmerelda, Rain, Liam, Nolan, and Travis, her sister Helen Cardwell, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister Barbara Knutson and her brother Gerald McNamara. This was written by her children, in honor of their dearest Mother. It is their tribute to her memory, which will be carried on in the legacy of love which is now in each of them – the lives she formed and touched by her love and tireless devotion… "We love you Mom!" A visitation is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2015 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00am, Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Faith Church 954 W. Brae Loch Rd. Grayslake, IL. Interment will follow at Warren Cemetery in Gurnee. For more information please call (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.