Margaret Fellows

Margaret Madigan Spehn Fellows, of Barrington, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3rd with family by her side. Margaret (or “Peggy to some of her family and friends) was born May 18, 1932 in Chicago. She was the youngest and 8th child born to her parents, Daniel and Helen Madigan, who both immigrated to Chicago from Ireland. Raised in a large, Irish family on Chicago’s West Side, Margaret attended Resurrection Catholic Grade School, and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Chicago in 1950. After graduation, she attended Wright Business School for 2 years.
Margaret met the love of her life, John J. Spehn (Jack) in the early 50’s in Chicago, and they married in 1954. They eventually settled in Oak Park, Illinois and their family grew to include 6 children. Margaret and Jack moved to Barrington, Illinois in 1968 and settled in Tower Lakes. Margaret was left widowed at an early age when Jack passed away suddenly in 1972.
After a brief remarriage, Margaret “retired” to California in the middle years of her life, where she lived for 22 years, enjoying year-round tennis and gardening. She returned to Barrington in early 2008 to be closer to family and friends in the Chicago area. Here she continued her love of gardening, joining the Green Thumbs Garden Club of Barrington, where she most recently served as Club Treasurer. She most loved being out in her garden, cooking, her African Grey Parrot-Nick, looking for a “treasure” at an Antique or Estate Sale, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Margaret was strong, intelligent, and outspoken, and will be deeply missed by all.

Margaret is survived by her children ; Carolyn (Van) Jarvis of San Rafael, California, Mark ( Pam) Spehn of Centennial, Colorado, Eileen ( Dave) Kastning of Barrington, Janet (Jerome Majewski) Jarva of Barrington, and John ( Nicole) Spehn of Forest Park, IL. She is also survived by her 5 Grandchildren; Mark and Jack Spehn, Katie and Kelly Kastning, and Daniel Jarva. In addition, Margaret is survived by her brother-in-law, Mel Spehn of Carmel Valley, California, sister-in-law Genevieve Madigan of Dallas, Texas, and many dear nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her 7 siblings; husband Jack Spehn, beloved son Martin Spehn, and daughter-in-law Anne Walsh Spehn.

A memorial service for Margaret will be held Saturday, August 16th. Visitation will be from 10:00 -11:00 am at St. Anne’s Church, Barrington, Illinois, followed by an 11:00 am Mass, and Luncheon. Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Davenport Funeral Home, Barrington. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society in Margaret’s name.

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