Mary Ann Kirsch

Mary Ann Kirsch, age 88, passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Miller Rehabilitation Center in Kankakee, IL. Mary Ann was born July 24, 1936, in Bourbonnais, IL., to Roy and Lumena (Richard) Rivard. She married Daniel Kirsch on October 26, 1957. A lifelong resident of Bourbonnais, Mary Ann began her career as a legal secretary, then a Kankakee County Court Reporter and Deputy Coroner for many years. She then embarked on a second successful career as a feature editor for the BB Herald. Her award-winning writing in the 80’s raised public awareness about the sale of the Perry Farm to a developer, and the LeTourneau Home being slated for demolition. As a result, the Perry Farm was preserved and made into the beautiful park it is today, and the LeTourneau Home was saved, relocated, and made into a local museum. Additionally, she authored a true crime book. Mary Ann was a lifelong member of Maternity B.V.M. Church, where she was a member of the St. Anne Sodality. She was Chairman of the Hooray Bourbonnais Pageant held in 1975; those festivities led to the formation of the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival, and Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society. Mary Ann volunteered for and was an avid supporter of those entities. In retirement, she enjoyed quilting, reading, gardening, and knitting prayer shawls for local hospitals. She was also an avid Cubs fan, and loved the Rosary. In addition to her husband of 67 years, Dan, she is survived by her sister, Celeste Regnier of Bourbonnais, sister-in-law Cecelia Kassman of Casa Grande, AZ., her three daughters, Amy Delmore, Dr. Valerie Goldfain (Butch Hovarter), Ellen (Larry) Stringer, all of Bourbonnais, one daughter-in-law Denise Buckley of Arlington Heights, family member Mark Goldfain of Bourbonnais, seven grandchildren, Bobby (Kara) Delmore of New Lenox, Katie Delmore, Dan & Luke Goldfain, Rhiannon, Aidan, & Joey Stringer, all of Bourbonnais, one great-grandson, Calvin Delmore, three step-grandchildren Ashley (Tony) Zuniga, Austin Hovarter, Emily (Tyler) Jonson, five step-great grandchildren Lunabelle & Estella Zuniga, Lux Hovarter, Jett & Rowe Jonson, all of Oak Creek, WI, and many nieces, nephews, neighbors, and close friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Jonathan, her brother Richard Rivard, her brother-in-law Roger Regnier, her son-in-law Joe Delmore, and close family friend Fr. John Antczak. Visitation will be held at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Maternity B.V.M. Church, with interment at Maternity B.V.M. Cemetery immediately following. Memorials will be made according to the family’s wishes.

Mary Ann Kirsch

July 24, 1936 - January 25, 2025