Mary Joan Gapp Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mary Joan Gapp, nee Finch, beloved wife of the late Paul Gapp, former Architectural Critic at the Chicago Tribune; loving step-mother to Steve (Annette) Gapp and Leslie (Steve) Sharp of Oregon; proud grandmother of Jenny, Travis and Megan Gapp; loving aunt to Dave and Jimmy Clouse, Liz Stucker and Ann Peterson, Jen, Joe, Ben, and Dan Goldberg; devoted daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Finch; special sister to her remaining siblings, Betsy Jensen (Dick), Bob Finch, Polly Goldberg, and brother-in-law, Phil Clouse; and caring cousin to a slew of Finches and Lyons too many to enumerate. MJ’s love affair with Chicago began when she started working and studying at the downtown campus of Loyola University. Her career in public relations began at Dale O’Brien & Co. Eventually, her interest in politics led to a job working for Senator Adlai Stevenson in his Chicago office. Her career path later moved her to the Chicago Tourism Council; and, in a final bid for independence, she helped create the PR firm of Clancy & Gapp. Upon her retirement, MJ lent some of her time and energy volunteering at Columbus Hospital. Always an avid reader, she also loved the arts and helped support the Art Institute and the Steppenwolf Theater. A strong sense of curiosity nurtured her love of travel--both within and outside of the United States. Unfortunately--despite a life filled with various intellectual pursuits, MJ ultimately succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease and has spent the last five years of her life at the Mosaic Lakeshore Healthcare Center. Throughout this time, she was able to retain a fair amount of her comprehension and her sharp sense of humor, but she suffered greatly from short-term memory loss. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Chicago or any charity of your choice. For information regarding her funeral service, please contact the Barr Funeral Home at 773-743-4034.

Mary Joan Gapp

April 21, 1937 - February 17, 2021

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