Arlene M. Chval, 85, a former longtime resident of Clarendon Hills, died July 16, 2016, at Amita Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale.
She was the only daughter of the late Donald J. and Estelle (Kishkunas) Murphy.
Arlene, the first in her family to graduate college, went on to accomplish, contribute and enjoy much, passionately and creatively teaching kindergarten (the only grade where she might be taller than her students) in parochial, Chicago public and Hinsdale District 181 schools; serving in many leadership capacities within the IEA and NEA, and lead contract negotiator for her teaching colleagues; participant/leader in countless community efforts; accomplished actress in the Clarendon Hills neighbors’ “Badman Theater” semi-annual “theatrical” (mostly, hysterically fun) productions; straight-shooting and uncowed alderwoman during Oakbrook Terrace’s “gilded” days; CASA volunteer and supporter; worldwide traveler and adventurer with many cherished friends; friend, table sheriff, peacemaker and evangelist to the “older” folks in her most recent living community at Sunrise in Willowbrook; but, far and away, and above all else, simply a loving and devoted mom, grandmother and great-grandmother, and dispenser of love and unvarnished and uncanny wisdom to all who would listen.
She is survived by her sons, Craig Sr. (Kathryn) and Keith; her grandchildren, Lauren (Sean) Kaveney, Craig Jr., Kevin, Brian, Luke, Daniel, Caitlin and Colin; and her great-granddaughter, Evie.
A funeral Mass for Arlene was celebrated July 22 at Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills.
Memorials may be made online to one of Arlene’s favorite causes, the Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls at mercyhome.org/giving, CASA at dupagecasa.org/ or Haymarket Center at hcenter.org/donate.
Adolf Funeral Home in Willowbrook handled the arrangements.
