Linda (nee Brooks) O'Donnell

Linda O’Donnell (nee Brooks), after a full and happy life, has passed away surrounded by love and family. Linda left us at the age of 82, on May 10, 2019, just 16 days shy of her 83rd birthday.

Linda, daughter of Benjamin Brooks and Adele Wheeler,  was born on May 26, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she grew up as the eldest of seven. She is preceded in death by her younger brother, Benjamin, and she leaves behind her remaining siblings, Bill, Terry, Adele, Michael, and Richie.

In 1957, Linda married the love of her life, Charles Patrick O’Donnell at St. Anthony’s Church in Ambler, Pennsylvania. They began their married life in Pennsylvania, and moved, with their children, to New Jersey, Kansas, Florida, New York, and ultimately, Illinois. Linda and Charlie had the great fortune of traveling the world together, raising a kind and loving family, and finding friendship and community wherever they lived.

Linda’s legacy is carried on by her family, who will miss her greatly. She had four children, Charles Patrick O’Donnell Jr. (Sai), Stephen Gerard O’Donnell, Kathleen Guzman (Debra), and Patricia Ann Patke (Steve). She was a loving grandmother to six grandchildren, Casey Guzman, Kaitlin Patke, Dylan Guzman, Brad Morris, Brendan O’Donnell, and Brianna O’Donnell. Linda was incredibly proud to become a great-grandmother, and will forever live in the hearts of Olivia and Liam.

Linda lived with diabetes for 20 years, 10 of which were spent on dialysis three times a week. She was recently diagnosed with cancer, and died in hospice care at Lutheran General Hospital, where she had worked for over 20 years.

Linda loved to cook and share recipes, she loved the Chicago Cubs, and she loved going to the theater.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, one of her favorite charitable organizations.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 13, 4-8 p.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge.

Funeral  Tuesday, friends and family will meet at Our Lady of Ransom Church, Mass 10 a.m., where she was an active community member for over 35 years.

Linda will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at All Saints Cemetery.

She was an incredible person, and she will be dearly missed.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Linda (nee Brooks) O'Donnell, please visit our Tree Store.