Mary C. Supple

Mary C. Supple, 72, of Hampshire, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Central DuPage Hospital, surrounded by the family she loved and served throughout her life. Her passing occurred on the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne—the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus Christ—a date of profound significance and consolation to Mary's family. Her family sees the timing of her passing as a beautiful sign of God's providence. Mary was born April 10, 1954, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Pripusich) Cooper. She married the love of her life, Thomas Supple, on January 7, 1979, in Tinley Park. Together they built a marriage of 47 years grounded in faith, sacrifice, family, and a love that remained steadfast through even the most difficult seasons of life with their children and grandchildren. In 1984, Mary and Thomas suffered the devastating loss of their stillborn daughter, Lauren. Their faith sustained them through that tremendous loss and became an increasingly important foundation of their family life. Her family now takes great comfort in believing that Mary and Lauren are reunited. Mary's Catholic faith was at the center of how she lived. She had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and an unwavering trust in St. Joseph. She was a devoted member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Hampshire and actively served her parish and community, including through St. Vincent de Paul and the Education Council. Mary was also a beloved member of the Cursillo movement, a community of faith that became an important part of her life. Family came immediately after God in Mary's life. She continually stressed the importance of staying connected, gathering regularly, and making time for the people we love. She could spend hours on the phone talking with her sisters and other family. Few things brought her greater happiness than having the people she loved together in one place. Mary possessed an optimism, warmth, and energy that could light up a room. She loved nature and found great joy simply sitting on the porch, watching the birds, breathing the fresh air, and looking out over the pond. Fall held a special place in her heart, and for many years the family's annual gathering during Sycamore's Pumpkin Festival was one of her favorite traditions. She loved drawing, reading, dancing and traveling—passions she always hoped to spend more time pursuing—and she loved to laugh. Her smile, positivity, and unmistakable energy made people feel welcome and cared for wherever she went. Mary’s professional life was devoted to many years of public service with DeKalb County. She worked closely with county leadership and became well-known as a strong community advocate. After returning to work, following her cancer diagnosis and treatment, Mary moved into economic development, where she helped establish a small-business incubator and enjoyed helping entrepreneurs and local businesses grow before her retirement in 2016. That knowledge of her community later became an invaluable part of her service through St. Vincent de Paul. When a neighbor was in need, Mary often knew exactly which agency to contact and whom to call. Her professional experience became another way for her to live her faith by serving those in need. Mary was also a natural evangelizer. She spoke openly about her Catholic faith with compassion, kindness, and respect for others. As a member of an interdenominational Bible study, her witness came not only through what she said, but through the love she showed to people regardless of their beliefs. In 2013, Mary was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroendocrine cancer and was given only a 10% chance of survival. Her family turned to St. Joseph and began praying the Holy Cloak Novena. What followed changed their lives forever. Mary's medical numbers improved in ways her doctors could not explain, doors unexpectedly opened for exceptional medical care, and her recovery profoundly affected those around her. Those first miracles were only the beginning. What followed was a 13-year journey of more miracles, grace, perseverance, and hope. Those miracles were measured not only in medicine, but in 13 additional years of love, family, laughter, service, and faith—precious time with Thomas, her children Shannon and Tom, her grandchildren Logan and Mackenzie, and the many people whose lives she touched. That extraordinary journey eventually inspired the creation of the St. Joseph Holy Cloak Apostolate, a ministry dedicated to sharing the Holy Cloak Novena and the hope Mary's family found through the intercession of St. Joseph with others facing their own trials. In 2021, after 30 years of calling the community of Sycamore, IL, home, Mary and Thomas moved into their son Tom's home in Hampshire, where they were blessed to still have their daughter and her family living nearby. Those years became an irreplaceable gift to their family—years of shared life, laughter, movie nights, care giving, and the quiet grace of simply being together. Her family will forever treasure that additional time. Even as her health declined, Mary remained remarkably interested in everyone around her. She asked how others were doing, remained concerned about her family and parish, and continued looking toward the future. Her illness never extinguished the optimism, generosity, and fighting spirit that had carried her through so many seemingly impossible circumstances. Mary faced 13 years of serious illness, surgeries, treatments, setbacks, and uncertainty with extraordinary perseverance. Yet illness never defined her life. She remained, first and foremost, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend; a woman of deep faith; a servant of those in need; and a joyful presence whose smile and energy could light up a room. Mary is survived by her husband of 47 years, Thomas; her children, Shannon (Nick) Shane and Tom Supple, Jr.; her grandchildren, Logan and Mackenzie Shane; her brothers and sisters, Charles (JoEllen) Cooper, Cynthia (John) Van Huis, Kathleen (Bill) Johnson, and Nancy (Kurt) Markl; and many extended family members and friends whose lives were enriched by knowing her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Cooper, and her stillborn daughter, Lauren. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 2, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 297 E. Jefferson Ave. in Hampshire, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with the Eulogy at 6:15 PM and a Wake Service at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue at the church Monday, August 3, from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery. Two passages of Scripture especially reflect the faith, perseverance, and hope that carried Mary throughout her life and through every trial: "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7 "We even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." — Romans 5:3–5 Jesus, I trust in You. MEMORIAL DONATIONS In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the St. Joseph Holy Cloak Apostolate, the ministry her extraordinary journey helped inspire, so that her love and devotion to St. Joseph may continue to touch hearts and bring souls closer to Christ. Donations to the St. Joseph Holy Cloak Apostolate may be made via Zelle to: Zelle Tag: holycloak Recipient Name: ST JOES HOLY CLOAK APOST To Donate by Adding a New Recipient: Open Zelle through your bank or credit union’s mobile app. Select “Send” or “Send Money,” then choose the option to add a new recipient. If prompted to select if this is a personal or business account, choose business. Enter the Zelle Tag: holycloak. Note: In some apps, you may need to precede the tag with the @ symbol and enter the Recipient Name as well. When the recipient information appears, please verify that the name shown matches ST JOES HOLY CLOAK APOST. Once verified, enter the amount you wish to donate and follow your bank’s instructions to complete the donation.

Mary C. Supple

April 10, 1954 - July 26, 2026