Obituary of Judith Gannon

Gannon, Judith L. (nee Mulvihill) Judith Mulvihill Gannon of Joliet, age 69, entered eternal life January 14th, 2012. Never was there a braver warrior in what could only be summed an epic battle against cancer. She fought for every breath so she could be with her family a little longer. Judy graduated from St. John the Baptist School, class of 1956. She attended SFA and JTHS, class of 1960 and was a National Merit Scholar. In the 1960s she was a staff writer for Playboy Magazine. She became one of the first women computer programmers, working for Time Magazine and El Paso Natural Gas Company. A brilliant mind with an IQ of 200, Judy was once active in Mensa. In the early 1970s she became an antiques dealer, retiring after putting her daughter Mary Beth through graduate school at Northwestern University. Judy loved to read Agatha Christie, play euchre, listen to Janis Joplin and watch Storage Wars. Her Irish ancestors were among the original settlers of Joliet. One relative founded the Morning Star Mission. Her grandpa Mulvihill was a CYO boxing champion, bookie and bootlegger for Butch Crowley. Judy's father was trainmaster at the E.J&E. The family also worked at Moore Stove. Great grandma Mariah Sullivan Murphy was a community activist who helped countless Irish people settle in Joliet during the 19th century. Judy is preceded in death by her father John, grandparents Carlos and Elizabeth Dolan Murphy, John and Liza Wason Mulvihill, godmother Mary Mulvihill Segura, best friend Charles Barnett and her beloved boxer dog, Jack. She is survived by her mother, Mary Mulvihill, husband Edward, daughters Cindy (Praful) Bhusari and Mary Elizabeth (Jim) Keegan as well as grandchildren Chetna and Shaunak Bhusari, Edward and Murphy Keegan. Also surviving are her sisters Betsy Kahler of Wisconsin and Patty Lesh of Minooka. Several nieces and nephews survive as well as many cousins including Dick (Pat) Butterbach and Jim (Carol) Butterbach, Peter (Karrie) Hurley and John Nealis of Texas. Special friends, Rosemary Marketti, Carl Likar and Sue Smith. Private visitation and Mass were held on Monday, January 16, 2012 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Cremation Rites will be accorded. Judy would have liked people to donate to Daybreak Shelter in her memory. Arrangements by: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500