Eileen C. Elward, née McGuiness, age 92, loving daughter of the late Mary and Hugh McGuiness; dear sister to the late Tom McGuiness (Irma) and Ann Dykstra (William); beloved wife of the late Hon. Paul F. Elward; loving mother of Joseph (Kay), William (Teresa), John (Ann), Thomas (Cathy) and Patrick Elward (Ann Duffy); dear aunt of Maureen McGuiness Nelson (Chris), Mary Dykstra Novess (Don) and William Dykstra; devoted grandmother of Neal (Chelsea), Luke (Andy), Barret, Jordan (Katelyn), Liam, Emmett, Natalie, Elizabeth and Daniel Elward; cherished great-grandmother of Teddy and Arlo.

Eileen was a Chicago native, raised in St. Bride Parish on Chicago’s Southeast side, a longtime supporter / contributor to Rogers Park and St. Jerome Parish in numerous events as well as a lifelong supporter of Loyola University. A Rogers Park oasis, her Chase Avenue kitchen was a neighborhood gathering spot, where all were welcome, laughter encouraged, and no one went away hungry. One of her signature recipes was Eileen’s world class homemade fudge. As her father-in-law would often quote Sydney Smith: “Serenely full, the epicure would say, Fate cannot harm me, I have dined today.”

An accomplished artist, her works were shown throughout the Midwest. Eileen studied at the Chicago Art Institute, worked at Karl Hackert Company; working in stained glass where one of Eileen’s notable contributions included working on the windows of the Madonna della Strada Chapel on the campus of Loyola University. A talented seamstress, she designed numerous dresses and also created altar cloths and banners for St. Jerome Church. She was a longtime supporter of the arts, including Wisdom Bridge, the Goodman Theater and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Eileen’s contributions to the Rogers Park community were boundless.

Visitation, Wednesday, July 13, 2022, from 4 to 8 p.m., at HABEN Funeral Home & Crematory, 8057 Niles Center Rd., Skokie.

Funeral, Thursday, July 14, at 10:15 a.m., from the funeral home, for Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m., at St. Peter Church of Ss. Peter & Lambert Catholic Parish, 8100 Niles Center Rd., Skokie.

Interment, Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, Niles.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Eileen’s memory to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 6300 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL, 60660 (misericordia.com).

Funeral info:  847.673.6111.

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