Mary Jeanne (Tyrrell) Myers

Mary Tyrrell Myers, long-time resident of Black Point, Lake Geneva, WI, passed away on May 29, 2018. She died due to complications from pneumonia and heart failure. Mary had just lost her husband of 64 years, Richard James Myers, less than two months earlier. 

Mary was born in Elgin, IL on April 30, 1932 to Pierce C. Tyrrell and Margaret Geddes Tyrrell, both longtime fixtures in Elgin. The Tyrrell connection to Elgin and Lake Geneva runs deep: in 1891 her grandfather, Dr. Pierce Tyrrell built a vacation home in Fontana on the shores of Lake Geneva, which eventually became Chuck’s Inn, and her family has been vacationing and living on the Lake ever since then. Mary attended St. Mary of the Woods College, Elgin Community College, and Northwestern University. She married Richard J. Myers, also of Elgin, on August 28, 1954. 

“Mother” Mary was aptly named, as she gave birth to seven children in seven years (1955-62)! Mary worked full-time raising her family, with stops in Evanston, Nashville, Chicago, Wilmette, and Lake Geneva. An accomplished musician, Mary somehow found time to play cello in the Evanston Symphony, the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra and in the pit orchestra for Big Foot High musicals.

Mary launched a second career as a successful and highly respected realtor for Bob Keefe Real Estate in Lake Geneva from the late 1970s until retiring in the early 2000s. She specialized in Lakefront properties.

Mary was filled with love, intelligence, warmth, strength, humor, will, and compassion. Her smile and laugh were infectious, and her eyes sparkled in conversation with family and friends. She had a gift for making people feel loved and special.

Mary enjoyed a good piano bar, a family meal, shopping for antiques and shopping at “Fields “, playing a few hands of friendly bridge, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and a quiet evening at home with her husband watching a sports game or a good PBS/BBC mystery. 

Born in the age of telephone “landlines”, Mary created her own type of social media network, such that she seemed to know where everyone was, whom they were with, and what they were doing. It was comforting to know that Mary was watching over us!

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Richard J. Myers; two of her children, Robert Myers, and Jeanne (Allis); her parents; and her brothers, John William, and Pierce G. Tyrrell. 

She is survived by children, Patty (Richard Nelson), Charles (Nancy Olson), Kathleen (Mark Feddersen), William (Elizabeth Dennison), and Thomas (Anne Snyder); grandchildren, William, Ashley, Jeffery, John, Carl, Lora,  Mary Margaret, Laura, Ryan, Tom, Lian, and Anna; as well as nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Mary was Irish through and through, and loved a good tune; so we sing her an Irish lullaby in memory—Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral.  We love and miss you, Mary!

The family will hold a private gathering for immediate family members. Mary will be buried in the Tyrrell/Myers family plot in Bluff City Cemetery, Elgin, IL. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization or charity of love, compassion, or aid.

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