Mary Alice Shimkus, 69, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, passed away peacefully on the evening of July 6, 2026, at Central DuPage Hospital. In her final hours, she was surrounded by the love of her family and a family member who remained by her side till the end.

Born on November 21, 1956, at Memorial Hospital of DuPage, Mary lived a life defined by kindness, creativity, faith, music, and service to others. She was the kind of person who never hesitated to answer a phone call, lend a hand, or open her home to someone in need. Friends and family knew they could reach her at any hour, no matter where in the world they happened to be.

Mary grew up in the family home on Hill Avenue in Glen Ellyn and remained there throughout her life. What began as a practical decision during her years as a young musician became a lifelong commitment to her family. As her parents grew older, Mary chose to stay and care for them, supporting both her mother and father through their final years with love, patience, and devotion.

As the youngest of the Shimkus children and the last surviving member of her immediate family, Mary's passing marks the end of seventy years of family history within the walls of the home where she grew up, and spent all her life caring for those she loved.

A lifelong learner, Mary attended and worked at College of DuPage in its early days. While pursuing studies in music and art, she also discovered a fascination with computers at a time when programs were written on punch cards and computers occupied entire rooms. The skills she learned there led to a successful career in information technology long before personal computers became commonplace. Her love of both technology and creativity inspired younger generations of her family, many of whom followed similar paths into technology, digital art, and related fields.

Music was one of Mary's greatest passions. A gifted bassist, she played bass guitar and string bass in many forms throughout her life and continued making music for as long as she was physically able. In her younger years, she helped form The RailRiders Band with her nephew Chip, beginning a musical journey that would span decades.

She later performed with numerous bands, orchestras, and musical groups throughout the Chicagoland area. During the 1980s and 1990s, Mary served as a bassist for Pheasant Run Theatre in St. Charles, performing in the orchestras of countless productions. Through her years at Pheasant Run, she formed friendships with many actors, actresses, musicians, and performers, including some who would later go on to achieve national recognition. To those who worked alongside her, Mary was known for her talent, professionalism, reliability, and genuine friendship.

Her love of theater music continued well into the following decades. As a member of Grand Staff, Mary performed for Theater on the Hill and numerous other community and professional theater productions throughout the Chicagoland area from the early 2000s onward. Whether performing for a major production or a local community theater, she brought the same dedication, musicianship, and joy to every performance.

Beyond music, Mary was an accomplished artist whose creativity knew few limits. She worked in many mediums, including oil painting, drawing, crafts, and jewelry making. She had a lifelong love of medieval fantasy, science fiction, and imaginative storytelling. She was a devoted fan of Doctor Who, admired the creativity and artistry of David Bowie, and delighted in worlds where imagination could thrive.

Mary's professional career took her into the growing world of information technology, where she worked for organizations including SBC and built lasting friendships with people around the globe. Those friendships endured because Mary genuinely cared about others. She remembered birthdays, checked in on friends, listened when people needed support, and made everyone feel welcome.

A devoted Catholic throughout her life, Mary lived her faith through action. She quietly supported numerous charitable causes, including organizations serving orphaned children, animal welfare groups, forest preservation efforts, Native American communities, and many other causes close to her heart. She believed deeply in helping others and gave generously whenever she could.

To her family, Mary was far more than an aunt, sister, or friend. She was a source of encouragement, wisdom, laughter, and unconditional love. She believed in people, often before they believed in themselves. She shared her passions for music, art, technology, and learning with younger generations and took great pride in watching them grow and succeed.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Clara Shimkus; her sister, Collette (Brown) Curtis; her brothers, Edward Shimkus and Joseph Shimkus Jr.; and her niece, Cathleen (Curtis) Morton.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Lynn Shimkus; her nephew, Chip Curtis and his wife Tina; her great-nephews, Richard Morton, Joseph Morton and his wife Jackie, Christian Morton, Nicolas Curtis and his wife Jessica, and Brad Curtis; her great-great-nephews, Mason Morton, Jackson Curtis, Owen Curtis, and Leo Morton; her great-great-niece, Adalynn Morton; her nephew-in-law, Merville Morton; and many dear friends, fellow musicians, former colleagues, and extended family members whose lives were enriched by knowing her.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Petronille Catholic Church in Glen Ellyn on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends will follow immediately afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ray Graham Association, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and helping them live full and meaningful lives. Mary spent her life caring for others, and supporting this mission is a fitting way to honor her memory.

Mary often comforted others during times of loss. One of the messages she shared with a dear friend after the death of a loved one reflects the way she approached both grief and life:

"I have lost loved ones when they were old, sometimes when they were young, and sometimes suddenly. It is never easy. The only thing you can do is remember the love that was shared, and the good times that were spent together. That should help ease the loss a little."

As we remember Mary, we are grateful for the love she shared, the music she created, the lives she touched, and the kindness she gave so freely. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the friends she welcomed, the music she played, and the countless people whose lives were made brighter simply because they knew her.