Rita McGrath

Date of Birth

May 23,1939

Date of Death

Jan 31,2020

Rita Kathryn McGrath, age 80, of Elgin, IL, passed away at her home, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, Friday, January 31, 2020.
She was born May 23, 1939, in Chicago, IL, to John and Vera (Jessup) Cummings.
Rita grew up in Chicago and attended local schools. After graduating from high school, Rita attended Elmhurst College and College of DuPage in pursuit of a nursing degree.
Michael Thomas “Tommy” McGrath Sr. worked with John Cummings and knew of Rita for many years before beginning a May-December romance that led them down the aisle. They were united in marriage in 1959. They were blessed with five children, Christina, Elizabeth, Michael Jr., Jennifer and John. They began their new life together in Chicago for a time before moving to Elmhurst in 1964. After a few stops, they made their home in Bartlett. After Tommy’s passing, Rita moved to Elgin where she continued to make memories with her children and grandchildren.
After high school, Rita worked as a waitress for many years, but after her children were born and getting her nursing degree, she found work at Elmhurst Hospital and Elgin Mental Health Center before her retirement.
Rita was one of a kind and she let you know it without hesitation. Her home was filled not only with love, but the sounds of her favorite music that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Duke Ellington, Etta James, Neil Diamond, as well as classic and local Jazz artists. Rita followed local Jazz players in various clubs. Her heart beat for her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A special place was reserved for her kitty, Sabrina, and in earlier years, many birds especially a lorikeet named Larry who repeated many phrases he learned from Rita, a majority of which we can’t share here. Rita was a big Cubs fan and enjoyed attending games at Wrigley Field. The world stopped when the Wizard of Oz was playing on the television. You could find no bigger fan without a pair of ruby slippers. There may be no place like home, but Rita has found her Heavenly home and is finally reunited with beloved Tommy.
Rita is survived by five children: Christy (Scott) Micari, Beth Morrison, Mike McGrath, Jenny (Steve Miklos) Schwarz, John McGrath; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three siblings: Pat Kinnane, Jim (Evelyn) Cummings and Colleen (Brad) Heck; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband Tommy McGrath, her sister Mary Ruth, son-in-law John Schwarz, brothers in law Donald Boyd and John Kinnane and her parents, John and Vera Cummings,
A memorial gathering will be from 2-4p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 4 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2020. Private family interment will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Rita’s name. Checks may be made to the “Rita Kathryn McGrath Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A memorial gathering will be from 2-4p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 4 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2020.

Private family burial to take place at a later date.

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