Ms. Margaret Ann Monahan of Chicago and formerly of Arcola died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 51 on the morning of Monday, March 20th.

Margaret was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1965. She graduated from Arcola High School in 1983 and from St. Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana in 1987. She earned a master of social work degree from the University of Illinois Chicago in 1992. For the last 28 years she has provided crisis intervention and counseling to abused and neglected children at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, most recently as the clinical director of Youth and Family Therapeutic Services. In 2012 she received the Humanitas Award from St. Mary's College. She was a member of Old St. Pat's Parish in Chicago.

Margaret lived a life of quiet faith, always dedicated to the mission of Catholic Charities and to the children that she served. Her memory will always be treasured by a vast network of friends who will remember her compassion and the gift of presence that she constantly provided.  She excelled at making everyone she met feel special.  She was an avid Cubs fan and loved to travel with her dear friends.  She was an impressive amateur chef and enjoyed hosting.  She consistently made insightful comments at her book club.  She was a determined tennis player and a constant at the annual Arcola Broomcorn Festival.  She could organize cousins, small children, neighbors and adults into a game of Red Rover or cards in minutes and her sense of humor was unparalleled.  Her infectious laugh and fabulous facial expressions brought joy to those around her.

Her family will also remember her as the rock that everyone would turn to in times of need. Her ability to connect with children as a professional, as an aunt and as a friend was unmatched.  Her nieces and nephews will remember the special attention she gave each and every one of them, the games and books in the closet in her apartment and the annual "school" she ran every summer just for them.  She was devoted to family, friends and her important work with her clients at Catholic Charities.  Her kind soul and larger than life personality were evidence of a life well lived.

She is survived by her parents Pat and Annie Monahan of Arcola; her eight younger siblings, Mike Monahan of Arcola; Kate O'Gara and husband Brian of Fairfield, CT; Colleen Smith and husband Marc of Ann Arbor, MI; Dan Monahan and wife Elke of Roswell, GA; Jim Monahan and wife Margaret MacDonnell of Cheverly, MD; Dave Monahan and wife Anne of Champaign; Kevin Monahan and wife Mariana of Savoy; and Julie Monahan of Chicago. She is also survived by her devoted 15 nieces and nephews: Sean, Megan, and Molly O'Gara, Kayleigh and Rylyn Monahan, Elizabeth and Patrick Smith, Vincent and Ekuba MacDonnell-Monahan, Claire, Luke, Mary Kate, Keenan and Ryan Monahan and Mateo Monahan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 204 S. Pine Street, Arcola, with Father Tim Monahan as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Arcola Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at the church. A memorial service will also be held in Chicago at a later date. Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust Street, Arcola, is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities, c/o Connie Evans, 721 N. LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60654; St. Mary's College, Development Office, 110 Le Mans Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5001 ATTN: Margaret Monahan Scholarship Fund; or Arcola Foundation-Amazing Arcola Fund, P.O. Box 100, Arcola, IL 61910.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com.