Mary Frances (Carroll) Chrzanowski passed away peacefully on December 23, 2023, after losing her battle with frontotemporal dementia.

Mary Fran was born on November 26, 1958, to the late John Matthew and Mary Ann (Walther) Carroll of Ottawa, IL. She is survived by her two older brothers Edward Carroll (JanLyn) of Normal, IL, Thomas Carroll (Kim) of Centennial, CO, and her younger brother Patrick Carroll (Kelly) of Bourbonnais, IL.

She is a graduate of St. Patrick’s Grade School and Ottawa Township High School, where the class of 1977 remembers her as an active member of the choir and theater department. She attended Illinois State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in special education. She went on to attain certification as a Registered Music Therapist. She taught at Marseilles High School, Cherokee Elementary School, Leaf River High School, where she was also the president of the teacher’s union, and Zion Lutheran Preschool. She later taught music education at St. Columba Grade School.

Mary Fran is survived by her husband, Ronald Alan Chrzanowski of Marietta, GA, their two children, Nicholas Chrzanowski (Jessica) of Chicago, IL, and Caitlin (Chrzanowski) Parker (Silas) of Ottawa, IL, and granddaughter Charlie Parker.

Outside of the classroom, she was a skilled musician and singer who shared her passion for music by giving private piano lessons, performing in the pit orchestra for the Stage 212 production of Bye Bye Birdie, and playing the organ at Catholic masses in the Ottawa area.

Mary Fran was always willing to lend a hand and volunteered to support school functions including chaperoning field trips, coaching, coordinating the Christmas music program at St. Patrick’s Grade School, and fundraising for the Ottawa High School Booster Club. She loved hosting family and friends and planned the annual Donahue/Donohue/O’Donoghue family reunion. In addition, she was an active member of the community and served on the boards of the American Association of University Women and the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra. Mary Fran was known for her welcoming smile and as a Longaberger Basket enthusiast.

A funeral mass will be offered on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 10:30 am at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa. All instrumentalists and singers who have accompanied Mary Fran in the past are invited to share their talents during the funeral mass. To participate, please contact Joanie Resendiz, 815-433-0700 ext 2; jresendiz@ottawacatholic.org.

A celebration of life will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ottawa from Noon until 2 pm on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Marquette Academy Elementary, Memo: Music Program, 1110 LaSalle St., Ottawa, IL 61350.

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