Maggie Daley Honored by Chicagoans at Memorial, Funeral Today

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 28, 2011 3:30PM

Hundreds of Chicagoans lined up at the Cultural Center yesterday to pay their last respects to former Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley, who passed away on Thanksgiving after a long battle with cancer.

Former Mayor Richard M. Daley and his family were in attendance, standing next to Mrs. Daley's casket and accepting condolences from both dignitaries and ordinary citizens. Mayor Daley even granted an autograph request from a well-wisher at one point.

Also in attendance were Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin. The scores of everyday people who braved the raw weather to honor Mrs. Daley said they did so out of respect for her contributions to education, the arts and helping to shape the cultural fabric of thee city over the past quarter century.

Mrs. Daley's funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Old St. Patrick's Cathedral. WGN-TV will live stream the funeral. Air space restrictions have been issued for O'Hare International Airport so that other dignitaries may land and attend the funeral. Among those notables, First Lady Michelle Obama.