Mary Albright, 81, Lake Bluff

Mary Albright, age 81, passed away peacefully on June 7th in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

Mary was born on February 10th, 1942, to Thomas and Honore Ayres in Oak Park, Illinois. She attended Trinity High School and Loyola University.

After working several years in the bond department at Continental Bank in Chicago, Mary joined the Chicago Bears as secretary to Jack Pardee, and stayed on with coaches Neill Armstrong, and Mike Ditka. She enjoyed every minute working for the Bears. Naturally, Super Bowl XX was a highlight, and she was thrilled to bring her big brother Jack to New Orleans for the game. The coaches, players, and office staff all loved Mary, and she loved hearing all about their families, especially the babies!

Mary left the Chicago Bears to be Coach Ditka’s personal assistant and moved to New Orleans while he was coaching the Saints. She made many wonderful friends in New Orleans and lived there for 4 years before returning to Lake Bluff. She remained Coach’s Ditka’s assistant and enjoyed all the fun and excitement that came with him until her retirement in 2017.

Lake Geneva was a big part of Mary’s early life. She spent summers at her family’s cottage in Fontana, and then weekends when she began working. In later years she enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. Palm Springs was her favorite spot to relax.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Thomas A. Ayres and Honore F. Ayres, and her brother Jack (John) Ayres. She is survived by her niece, Mary Beth Ayres, to whom she was always beloved “Auntie Mame”.

Mary’s family would like to thank the staff at The Sheridan at Green Oaks in Lake Bluff for their care of Mary these last 5 years.

A service for Mary will be held at a later date.

To honor Mary, a donation to Misericordia would be most welcome:

Misericordia Home

In memory of Mary Albright

Attn: Beth Denbow

6300 North Ridge

Chicago, IL. 60660

Info: Wenban Funeral Home 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com