Pageant queen remembered for inner beauty
Everyone in Margaret "Marge" Dolan McLennon's life knew her as a beauty, both inside and out.
Although her looks took center stage when she was crowned Miss Chicago at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, her family and friends remember McLennon as a woman who spent her life raising money for charities.
McLennon, 94, who lived in Palatine, Lombard and Bloomingdale, died Tuesday surrounded by family.
"She was very compassionate and really cared about people who were in need," said her daughter, Mary Beth Fox.
Born in Chicago on Nov. 12, 1914, McLennon was the fifth of nine children. After her sister entered her into the Miss Chicago contest at age 19, McLennon won the title during the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago.
Her children say she often described her reign as the adventure of a lifetime.
McLennon married her husband, John "Jack" McLennon, at age 22 on Thanksgiving Day, 1936. They had seven children and for five years also raised Tom Cronin, the son of family friends, after the boy's mother died during his infancy. After 40 years of marriage, Jack died in 1977.
With her days of pageant crowns seemingly behind her, McLennon dedicated her life to helping young women gain education and overcome poverty. As chairwoman of a local Big Sisters in the 1970s, she helped establish a clinic to provide prenatal and postnatal care for unwed mothers.
In 1978, she earned the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Women's Parish Award for her charitable works on behalf of Big Sisters, Maryknoll Sisters, Fu Jen Catholic University in China, Our Lady Help of Christians' Mother's Club, St. Lucy's Altar and Rosary Society, and Trinity High School Mother's Club.
McLennon also served as a leader in Girl Scouts of America, Sauganash Women's Club in Chicago and Whytecliffe Women's Club in Palatine.
"She had lots of good ideas that she used to raise money for her charities," said daughter Peggy Curran. "She designed a fashion show where the outfits progressed from cave lady into looks from the future. My mother was extremely creative."
At age 81, McLennon found herself donning another crown when her retirement center in Lombard, where she led its AARP chapter, nominated her for Senior Ms. Illinois 1995. She was the oldest contestant and won Miss Congeniality.
Her family said people always thought McLennon was a winner because of her drive to help others.
"I think everybody thinks their mom is terrific but we feel very prejudiced," said Mary Beth Fox. "We just think she's extraordinary."
A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Isidore Church, 431 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale. Contributions to honor McLennon's memory can be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, P.O. Box 279, Concordia, Kansas 66901.