Mary A. Kauth

Mary A. Kauth, 85, of Chicago and formerly of Streator passed away Monday, May 20, 2019 at Covenant Home of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator.

Visitation will be from 10-11 A.M. Saturday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Streator. Cremation rites have been accorded.

There will be an additional service for Mary on Friday, May 31, 2019 at Covenant Home of Chicago, 2720 W. Foster, Chicago, IL 60625. Service at 3pm followed by coffee and pastries.

Mrs. Mary Kauth, age 85, of Chicago, IL (formerly of Streator, IL) passed away at her home on Monday, May 20, 2019. She died of natural causes. She was born February 14, 1934 in Streator, IL to Laurence and Alice (Sullivan) Purcell. She was a graduate of Streator High School and the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She raised her children in Lansing, IL.

She is survived by five children: Linda Janssen (husband, Jim Janssen) of Houston, TX; Greg Kauth (wife, Alison Chapin) of Houston, TX; Ann Kauth (husband, José Osorio) of Chicago, IL; Matt Kauth of Conroe, TX; and Amy Vizzini (husband Max Vizzini) of Folkestone, UK.

Mary is also survived by eight grandchildren: Charles Andrew Janssen of Boston, MA; Philip Grant Janssen of London, UK; Bryan Duffy of Chicago, IL; Heather Blythe of Kouts, IN; Samuel Osorio of Chicago, IL; Julia Osorio of Chicago, IL; Matteo Vizzini of Folkestone, UK; and Xanthe Vizzini of Folkestone, UK.
Besides being a loving mother and grandmother, Mary was a dedicated English and Reading Teacher in the Chicago Public School (CPS) system. She began her career at Clara Barton School and then moved to Percy Julian High School. However, she spent the bulk of her career at Richards Vocational High School. Richards High School was like her second home and the staff at Richards was like her second family. Mary loved her students and they loved her as well. Former students sent these messages expressing their appreciation:

“Mrs. Kauth was an amazing teacher and a great role model. She was one of the few people who believed in me back then. My first couple of years in high school, I was not doing the things I was supposed to (I discovered girls and booze the first day of high school and things went downhill from there). But then my Sophmore year, Mrs Kauth made me look at things in a different perspective and helped get the ball rolling on positive changes I needed to make. I joined the Academic Decathalon (which she coached), stopped cutting classes, etc. Because of the direction she pointed me in, I was able to finish high school, college and even graduate school with superb grades and now have a successful career in technology. She believed in me when I needed it most.”

“I had Mrs. Kauth for English from 1985-1988. She was an extremely wonderful teacher and always use to tell me ‘if you just sit in class quietly, you’ll never be heard.’ I always tell my girls this to this day.”

“I absolutely remember Mrs. Kauth! She really believed in me and told me so. You never forget those teachers…. Priceless!”

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com

To send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Kauth, please visit our flower store.

Visitation

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

Saturday May 25th, 2019

10:00am - 11:00am

301 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364

Visitation

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

Saturday May 25th, 2019

10:00am - 11:00am

301 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364

Funeral Service

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

Saturday May 25th, 2019

11:00am

301 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary A. Kauth, please visit our floral store.