Kathleen Conwell Death – Kathleen Conwell (Ames, Toner) passed away on December 4, 2023, in Fort Myers, Florida, at the age of 87. Before Kathleen was born in Chicago, Illinois, Mary Ann Burke (Hay) and her parents, Anne (Panozzo, Rito) and Louis Borgo, passed away. Kathleen’s four children—Janie Rafalski, James Toner, Dale Ames (Carol), and Cynthia Martinotti (Thomas)—carry on her loving and compassionate legacy. Kathleen was a mother who was loved.
Paul, Patrick, Maryellen, Corey, Nicole, Kyle, Shane, Blair, Amanda, and Samantha were among the eight grandchildren that adored and valued their grandmother. Her influence had a lasting impact on even Kathleen’s three great-grandchildren, Ryan Rafalski, Addisyn Rafalski, and Evelyn Lefebvre. Her legacy will be continued by her niece Gwendolyn (Hay DaMato) and numerous other family members and friends. Kathleen’s dedication to her clients and altruism characterized her profession.
In 1966, she began working for the NALC Union. By 1992, she had become a life member and had resigned from her job as a USPS letter carrier. Her commitment to law enforcement was evident when she worked as an officer with the Orland Park Police Department and as a deputy sheriff for Cook County holiday courts. Kathleen was quite proud to have been a part of Oak Lawn’s Order of the Eastern Star Olive Chapter #179 for almost fifty years.
She managed programs and lunches aimed at enhancing the quality of life for senior residents in Manteno, Illinois for many years. To be closer to her daughter Cynthia, Kathleen and her daughter Janise relocated to Fort Myers, Florida. She had spent a considerable amount of time living in Orland Park, Illinois, and then more than 20 years in Manteno. Kathleen had to endure heart problems, breast cancer, and brain surgery, but her unwavering faith in God got her through it all. One of her early pieces was “If the Lord is with me, who can be against me?”
Kathleen was resilient, but she also loved the game of BINGO because it made her happy. Legacy Options cremated Kathleen after a private viewing. Even though we celebrate that she has moved on to a better place, those of us who had the good fortune to know and love her will never forget her. Though Kathleen Conwell will be greatly missed, her bravery and love will live on in our hearts forever.