IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Remembering the former First Lady of Chicago

Let me finish tonight with a very good person.Maggie Daley, the First Lady of Chicago for 22 years, was a beloved figure in this city.

Let me finish tonight with a very good person.

Maggie Daley, the First Lady of Chicago for 22 years, was a beloved figure in this city. I attended her funeral earlier today at Old St. Patrick's, a warm church as beautiful in its human feel as in the fine splendor of its architecture.

The spirit in the church this morning was human love, the love of a woman for those around her, in this a circle that widened beyond her grateful family to a grateful city.  Maggie Daley has been the heart of Chicago; I kept hearing today and knew it was coming.

Why?  Because every once in a while you may be fortunate enough to meet a person who radiates the humor, good sense and positive feelings that light up the world around her.  I'm not talking "Maria" in the Sound of Music or "Mary Richards" in the old TV show, which we all loved.  I'm talking about the real thing. 

I'm glad I was able to come out here this morning, not just because the wife of Mayor Daley was like him big on education, a leader in after-school programs, and keeping a downtown parish alive.  It made me feel very good about Chicago, my church, and the mankind, in this case woman-kind.

Maggie Daley remains with us as a lasting, enduring lively proof that humans, at least this one, are capable of being truly gracious to one another.