Joan Mary Heneghan

Joan Mary Heneghan died peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 97 years of age. 

Born in Chicago on August 15, 1927 to Barbara E. (Gier) Hughes and William P. Hughes CFD, Joan was the 8th of 15 children and grew up surrounded by love and laughter. Following grammar school at St. Sabina’s, Joan graduated from Assumption High School before working first as a switchboard operator, and later for a jeweler in downtown Chicago.

Joan met Paul Heneghan at the Trianon Ballroom and they married on March 8, 1947. They celebrated 47 years together before Paul’s death in March of 1994. Joan and Paul bought their first home in Riverdale IL, and there they raised their 7 children.  During those years Joan was a very active volunteer at Queen of Apostles parish, where she formed many lifelong friendships. She and Paul enjoyed dancing, especially to big band music, and loved attending dinner dances as well as the many, many weddings of family and friends. Joan was a member of parish bowling leagues, and ever the good sport, she even briefly tried downhill skiing when Paul took up that sport. They enjoyed traveling, especially when their trips were to visit children and grandchildren around the country.

When Joan and Paul moved from Riverdale to Orland Park, once again she formed many wonderful friendships during the 30+ years she lived there. She was faithful member of St. Elizabeth Seton parish, attending daily Mass for many years.  She and Paul took innumerable weekend getaways, often including golf, and that spurred her to join a local ladies’ golf league which she enjoyed for many years,

Surviving Joan are 5 of her 7 children: Susan (Jose Tapia), Nancy (the late Edward Hickey), James (the late Deborah), Matthew (Therese), Mark (Andra)  and son-in-law David Pyzik.  She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, her cousin Mary Anne Houlihan, many dear nieces and nephews and her sisters-in-law Gloria Hughes and Judy Hughes.

Joan deeply mourned the loss of her husband Paul, her son Paul, her daughter Joan and her grandson William.  Also preceding her in death were her parents, her sisters Eileen Molloy, Mary Alice Morgan, Bernice Sullivan, Patricia Lassendrello,  Suzanne Moran, Barbara Dorsey, Diane  Brennan and Janet Gartland and her brothers William, James, Walter, John, Michael, and David.  

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30am Saturday, March 8, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 9300 W. 167th Street, Orland Hills IL. 

 Contributions to Joan’s memory can be made to the Arthritis Foundation in honor of her husband Paul.

 For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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