Maureen C. Anderson, nee O’Connell, aged 84, of Clarendon Hills, Illinois passed away peacefully at home on December 27, 2023. Maureen was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Marian O’Connell, husband of 36 years Robert Anderson, son Laurence Yandel Jr. (Dawn), brothers Thomas and James, sister Joyce McKee, and many other close friends and family members with whom she is now reunited.

Maureen is remembered with everlasting love by her children David (Karen) and Steven Yandel, stepchildren Nancy (Brian) Nelson and Michael (Jill) Anderson, sister Jeanne Handley, and many nephews and nieces who adored her. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren Ryan, Matthew, Kaitlin, Colin, Ellen, Rachel, Craig, Matthew, Allison and Alex, and she reveled in being their fun, eccentric, silly grandma. She maintained grade school and high school friends throughout her life and continued to gather new ones. Her joie de vivre was contagious, and her family and friends are encouraged to carry it on in her honor.

Maureen was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived on the west side in the Our Lady of the Angels parish. The family moved to LaGrange, Illinois and she attended local schools including Nazareth Academy. She attended Rosary College (now Dominican University) as her mother did before her, a legacy continued by her son Steven. Her 16 years of Catholic education were a roadmap for living her life in gratitude for all her blessings, despite many painful losses over the years. When initially diagnosed with cancer, she prayed for strength and peace and shared that she felt it descend upon her shoulders. This experience created an even stronger belief in the power of prayer.

Shortly after college, she met her first husband, married, and moved to Riverside, Illinois before ultimately building a loving home in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, where she resided for the last 58 years. Before remarrying, Maureen was a single mother and worked diligently to provide for her three sons. Her kind heart was rooted in compassion, caring and a desire to enjoy all the fun that life had to offer. Through good times and bad, she appreciated the love and support received from her family and loyal friends.

She had a deep love of classical music, was a long-time subscriber to the Chicago Symphony and enjoyed playing the piano. An avid card player, she was always just three friends aways from a competitive game of bridge. You had to be careful when playing games together as a family since some rules were “optional”. Her first car, a powder blue 1956 Triumph TR3, inspired an enduring love of convertibles and the open road. She yearned to travel the world and her journeys took her around the globe including horseback riding through Ireland, jaunts through Europe, South America, Africa and expeditions through Southeast Asia. Her trip to the Holy Land was perhaps the most rewarding.

She loved sending unique and memorable cards and her generous gifts at the holidays were unmatched in creativity. Her gift of humor was enjoyed by many and there was laughter wherever she was. There are many more stories to share about this wonderful person.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 6th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Notre Dame Church, located at 64 Norfolk Ave., Clarendon Hills, IL 60514. A funeral mass will be held immediately following the visitation and services will conclude at the church. A private interment will be at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, IL at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Maureen has requested donations to the Notre Dame Parish Food Pantry, 64 Norfolk Ave., Clarendon Hills, IL 60514, www.notredameparish.org. The food pantry is a ministry that was very dear to Maureen’s heart and her lifelong dedication to caring for and helping others.

Arrangements entrusted to Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Downers Grove & Westmont. Info 630-852-8000 or westsuburbanfh.com