Marie Norine Cowhey

Marie Norine Cowhey, née Roach, age 95, a longtime resident of Lake Forest, Illinois passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025 at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 24, 1930 to her late parents, Thomas J. (Ret. CFD, Battalion Chief, 5th Battalion) and Marie Schriver Roach. Marie was a graduate of Alvernia High School. She received a full scholarship to join the first class of women admitted to Loyola University. After one year, she moved to New York City where she lived and worked with Dorothy Day’s Catholic Worker movement. She returned to Chicago to receive her bachelor’s degree from Dominican University and her master’s degree from Loyola University. She then taught English at Lane Technical High School. Marie chose to raise her five children rather than publish the dissertation to complete her PhD in English Literature. In 1966, together with her husband, James J. Cowhey, Sr., Marie co-founded Land and Lakes Company, where she remained chairman of the board. She announced her retirement in May 2025. The family-owned business is active in environmental services and real estate development and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026. The couple raised their family in Skokie and Lake Forest and enjoyed their time in Williams Bay, Wisconsin and Long Boat Key, Florida. Marie was the beloved wife of the late James J. Cowhey, Sr. (2002); loving mother of Cathleen M., Mary Margaret, James J., Jr. (Lisa), The Honorable Virginia M. (Preston) Kendall, and Eileen M. (Carl) Sheliga; cherished grandmother of John (Ursula), Patrick (Kathleen), Maureen (fiancé Sean Mahre), Preston (Kristy) Kendall, the late James O’Neil Kendall, Connor (Colleen) Kendall, C. Maeve (Ryan Bravo) Kendall, Thomas Sheliga, and Neil Sheliga; adored great-grandmother of Mary, George, Rose Marie, Bobby James, Kay, Alice and Cecilia James Kendall, Fiadh Bravo, and Casper, Florence and Rory Cowhey; aunt and great-aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation at St. Patrick Church (new church), 928 W. Everett Road, Lake Forest, from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Private interment at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois. For information – Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest, 847-234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com. Memorial contributions in Marie’s name may be made to either of the James and Marie Cowhey endowed scholarships for Cristo Rey high school students attending Dominican University or Loyola University. NOTE: Please reference that your donation should be directed to the James and Marie Cowhey Scholarship endowment. Loyola University - https://loyolauniversitychicago3.my.site.com/ascendportal/s/give?appeal=26Y02 Dominican University - https://www.dom.edu/university-advancement/make-a-gift

Marie Norine Cowhey

July 24, 1930 - August 8, 2025