Obituary of Margaret E. Plunk
Margaret (nee Lenihan) Plunk passed away at her home in Joliet on Saturday, January 6, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a short, but valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born June 9, 1947, in County Kerry Ireland to the late John “Jack” and Catherine (nee Harrington) Lenihan.
Margaret left home as a young women to work in England, and then on to New York City. She came to Chicago a couple years later and met the love of her life, Ronald Austin Plunk. They met at the Johnson Paybox factory in Chicago. They moved to Joliet in 1976, and made their home there the rest of their lives.
Margaret was well known for her outgoing and fun loving personality. She and her husband started numerous businesses in the area, including Allied Landscaping and Allied Nursery. Her favorite was the Tipperary Banquets in Manhattan, as she loved hosting events, and would greet you with a pint of Guinness. She was an extremely hardworking and smart business woman. Her employees were like a second family to her. Margaret was a member of the Irish American Society County of Will, and enjoyed hosting many summer picnics. She and her husband were honored as “Irish Person of the Year” for their contributions to their community. Despite her diagnosis she always kept her sense of humor.
Margaret is survived by her loving husband, Ronald; her children, Tina Plunk (Michael Cannella), and Ronald Plunk (Stacey Mack); grandchildren, Haley (Anthony) Donzella, Julie Quigley (Jose Aranda), Olivia Plunk, Austin Plunk, and Alexa Plunk; great granddaughter, Cara Donzella; sisters, Theresa Casey and MaryAnn Nolan of Ireland, Bridget Etches of England, and Joan Curran of Chicago; brother, Denis Lenihan of Chicago, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Catherine “Kitty” Sugrue, Nora Curtin, brother, John in infancy, and brother, Michael Lenihan all of Ireland, her sister, Sheila Shields of England, and by her in-laws, Ezra and Jewel Plunk of Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, the Plunk family requests donations to the Irish American Society of County of Will Scholarship Program.
Please raise a glass of Jameson with a big “Slainte” to a fantastic Irishwomen whose legacy and memory will last forever in those of us that were touched by her.
In accordance with her wishes cremation rites have taken place.
A Memorial Visitation for Margaret E. Plunk will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black (at Essington) Rd., Joliet.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500, or to leave an online condolence, visit her Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com
