Funeral Arrangements Set for Maggie Daley

Services for Chicago's former first lady, who died Thursday, will be held Sunday and Monday.

A memorial service for Maggie Daley will be held beginning at noon Sunday at the Chicago Cultural Center, at 78 E. Washington Street. Those wishing to attend are asked to enter through the Washington Street entrace.

A public mass and funeral will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Old St. Pat's Church, at 700 W. Adams Street. Family spokeswoman Jackie Heard said it's "not clear" if President Barack Obama or his wife will be among the attendees.

After a nine-year battle with breast cancer, Mrs. Daley passed away around 6:30 p.m. Thursday with her husband, Richard Daley, by her side and surrounded by family. Oncologist Dr. Steve Rosen said Maggie was comfortable in her final hours.

Fr. Jack Wall said it was fitting that she passed on Thanksgiving.

"The last prayers we said were, 'Thank God for Maggie Daley," he said.

Heard said the former mayor is very "reflective" and very emotional.

"As you all well know, our former mayor is emotional and this has to be one of the toughest, if not the toughest, situations that he will ever have to endure," she said. "He appreciates your prayers at this time."

Public memory books will be available at City Hall, Gallery 37 and the Chicago Cultural Center.

In lieu of flowers, the Daley family asked that people contribute to either After School Matters or to the Maggie Daley Cancer Care Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

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