Mary Kathleen Egan Schmuttenmaer, 91, died on May 18, 2026, after a few weeks’ illness. Those who met her during her John Marshall Law School years in the 1970s, her 40-year career at Chicago Title and Trust, or her 10 years of retirement, know her as Mary. Those who met her during her early married years, her years teaching at Nazareth High School, her years at Loyola University Honors College, Trinity High School and Ascension Elementary School know her as Mary Kay.
And a select family group called her “Sixie.” When she was born, she was in bed number 6 in the hospital nursery and her parents, George and Kathleen, had not settled on a name yet. Hearing “Sixie” always brought a smile to her face.
She was devoted to lifelong learning and enjoyment of the arts. Book clubs, poetry club, architecture, travel, history, legal updates; and attendance at theater, symphony, opera, movies and museums were some of her cultural pursuits. She relished discussing scientific advancements and continually drew interesting people into her circle.
She was an eager and avid conversationalist on almost any topic. While she held many strong opinions, she was usually able to empathize with someone who held opposite views.
Her life had hardships and obstacles. She lost her dad before she was married, her mom before she was 30, and both siblings by her mid-50s. She survived her sons, Charlie, Marty and Mike, and her husband, Hubert.
Her third pregnancy in 1964 was complicated by infection with German measles. Marty was born profoundly deaf and with severe developmental delays. She and Hubert found support with other families whose children were similarly impacted. As a result, Marty achieved success far beyond the doctor’s grim assessments at birth. She remained involved in Marty’s care and residential placement throughout his adult life, and brought him home nearly every weekend, even when he lived over an hour away.
She never lost sight of the man she fell in love with and married, even when behavioral health issues made marriage to Hubert impossible. Although they were divorced in the eyes of the state, she continued to make sure his needs were met, and she cherished the days when his mood allowed for reminiscing about their lives together.
After coping with initial feelings of loss or grief, she accepted her burdens and rose to each occasion, handling them with grace and pragmatism.
She touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Claire (John) Fitz; her grandchildren, Joseph Fitz, Amie (Pablo) Rocha, Laura (David) Kenyon, Joseph (Samantha) Schmuttenmaer; her great-grandchildren, Denzel and Charlotte Rocha, Noah and Miles Kenyon, Sophie, Rylee and Giacomo Schmuttenmaer; and dozens of nieces and nephews, and their families.
Please join us at Ascension Church in Oak Park, Wednesday, July 17 at 9:30 for visitation, and 10:30 for Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the service agency that supported Marty during the latter years of his life: Garden Center Services, 10444 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60655.
Mary was a fervent supporter of the Constitution. So much so that she had a couple copies on her coffee table for easy reference. Donations to the ACLU would also be appropriate.