Obituary of Mary Ann Preigh
Mary Ann Preigh, age 91, of Crest Hill, IL, passed away peacefully, Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Avondale Estates of Elgin, surrounded by her loving family.
Born August 6, 1933, in Oak Park, IL, she was the daughter of the late John and Pauline (Kalinowski) Dolegowski, and was a graduate of Morton High School with the Class of 1951. She began working at Westinghouse Electric prior to the years she spent as a homemaker and mother to her young family. She later began furthering her education by attending night school, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the National College of Education, and then her Master’s degree from National Lewis University. She taught Preschool for a few years prior to going to work for the State of Illinois surveying and licensing day care facilities through the Department of Children and Family Services.
She married the love of her life, John Preigh Jr., in 1955, and they made their home in Westmont for many years, moving to St. Ann when they retired. Mary Ann and John enjoyed a strong and devoted marriage of 39 years until his passing in 1995. Following John’s death, Mary Ann moved to Crest Hill, where she has made her home since, and has been an active member of Grace United Methodist Church of Joliet, and the Red Hat Society, Joliet Chapter.
Mary Ann was a loving, patient, and caring person who was also fiercely independent and possessed a delightful sense of humor. She was a gifted storyteller, recalling stories and images of the past in vivid detail. Her skills and talents as a preschool teacher served her extremely well when grandchildren became the inspiration of her life, and they delighted in the hours they spent together enjoying books, puzzles, games and other learning activities. Her passion for movies and the theatre provided her great entertainment, and she delighted in seeing the Broadway plays and culture of the Drury Lane Theatre and other venues. She was also an avid reader and loved working mega jigsaw puzzles with many hundreds of pieces.
Surviving are her loving children, Geri (Jim) Mondek of Elgin, and Michael (Mary Therese) Preigh of Boulder, CO; her adoring grandchildren, Nick (Stacey) Mondek, Trish Snyder, Jack Preigh, Margaret Preigh and Marlena Preigh; and four precious great-grandchildren, Layla Snyder, Charlotte Mondek, Hayley Snyder and Jay Mondek.
In addition to her husband and parents, one sister, Sylvia (Delbert) Neher, and one brother, Art (Valerie) Dolegowski, also preceded her in death.
A Memorial Service for Mary Ann Preigh will be held at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet, on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Laura Barkley will officiate. Cremation rites have been accorded and interment in Kankakee Memorial Gardens will be private.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
