Marjorie A. Joy
RETIRED CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND OAK LAWN TRUSTE
Dr. Marjorie Ann Joy (nee Courney) passed away peacefully in her Oak Lawn Home on July 02, 2021 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband of 56 years Edward, four children Daniel (Amy), Edward (Andrea), Kevin (Nicole), Anne Marie Heiar (Tim) and 12 grandchildren- Matthew, Megan, Brendan, Emmitt, Nolan, Ryan, Logan, Gavin, Keegan, Maggie, Riley, and Ellie, her brother John Courney (Mary Lou). She is preceded in Heaven by her father Raymond Courney, mother Catherine “Fluffy” (Mulcahy) and brother Raymond Courney (Karen).
Marge retired from Chicago Public Schools after 40 years of service. She began her career at CPS as a teacher at Mark Sheridan School. She served as Principal at Richard Henry Lee School from 1984-2006 in the West Lawn neighborhood where the street was renamed “Honorary Marge Joy Way”. Marge was the recipient of many awards that exemplify her dedication - 1992 Distinguished Service Award Aquin Guild for incorporating Catholic principles in public school education, 1990 Whitman Award for Excellence in Educational Management and the 1997 School Leadership Award for Outstanding Principals, The Apple Award and many others. At the age of 66, Marge earned her Doctorate in Education in 2005 from Loyola University. She used her experience and education to serve as an Adjunct professor to Dominican University-River Forest “Teach for America” program. Her accolades occurred as a result of her dedication to the students, community, and school including the faculty.
Marge was a 54 year resident of Oak Lawn who served the Village of Oak Lawn community from 1975 to 1991 as an elected Park District official and the Fifth District Trustee from 1992 to 2008. She helped support economic development, protect the neighborhood through obtaining the highest rating for the Fire Department and Outstanding Rating for the Police Department, and serving the Senior community.
She had a strong altruistic spirit for children, serving on school boards and the building of the Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn. In 2015. Marge was honored with the Museum's prestigious Soaring Spirit Award. To Marge, one of the most rewarding parts of her position at the Museum was seeing the happiness of the community’s children. She believed the people she’s met along the way have truly benefited her life.
“The people who run the Museum day by day teach me things every time I see them,” Marge says. “I’ve learned so much! Learning is a lifetime experience. It just doesn’t end when we’re done with school. She also served on the House Council for another favorite charity The Ronald McDonald House at Hope Children’s Hospital.
Marjorie was a devout Catholic who believed in the power of daily prayer, Guardian Angels, and helping those in need . As a member of St. Linus Catholic Church she served as a eucharistic minister, a crisis counselor after earning a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling, and volunteered weekly at the Adoration Chapel.
The Honorable Daniel Lipinski recognized Marjorie in the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Record in June 2006. Her favorite poem was Robert Frost’s “The Road Less Taken” and loved “A Parable for Mothers” by Temple Bailey.
Funeral Tuesday July 6, 10:15 am from Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn to St. Linus Church for Mass at 11:00 am.
Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Visitation Monday July 5 from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Ronald McDonald House, 4410 W. 93rd St. Oak Lawn, IL 60453 would be greatly appreciated.