Maureen Elizabeth Schwarz, age 84, of Quincy, Illinois, died peacefully at home on June 15, 2026. Maureen will be deeply missed and remembered as a loving and dedicated wife and mother. Maureen, the eldest daughter of Bridget and John Williams, was born on August 22, 1941, in Liverpool, England and spent her childhood and teenage years at home in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland. In 1958 at age 17, Maureen immigrated to the US, residing on the Southside of Chicago, and began her career as a hairstylist. On November 17, 1964 Maureen proudly became a naturalized United States citizen.

Marrying on February 26, 1966, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Quincy, Illinois, Maureen enjoyed 57 years of marriage with her husband, Gerald Leroy Schwarz. Maureen loved traveling, enjoying several trips back to Ireland with her husband and their two children, Eilisia G. Schwarz and Gerald Lee Galvin Schwarz, to visit family and friends.

Maureen had a lifelong passion for the fine arts and literature, genealogy, and history. While working and caring for her family and pets, Maureen took great pride and pleasure in participating in various organizations that focused on cultural enrichment, civic engagement, and her Catholic faith. She was a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Beta Sigma Phi, QCLT, the National League of Junior Cotillions, the Women’s City Club, and the Women’s Association of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County.

Maureen founded the Illinois Chapter of the Irish Georgian Society with fondest memories of hosting the Honorable Desmond Guinness for a lecture at the Women’s City Club in Quincy, Illinois. Together with her husband, Maureen received distinguished awards and high honors from the United States Royal Commission of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George.

Maureen is survived by her daughter, Eilisia G. Schwarz; brothers-in-law, Raymond Cipriano (Kathleen) and John Paul Schwarz (Jacqueline); and nieces, Eileen Cipriano, Maureen Cipriano (Matt Johnson), and Noreen Cipriano (Bryan Woods); Aunt Doris Youell (Leroy); cousins, Sharon Morrison (George), Landon Morrison, Sheree Morrison, and David H.B. Clark (Tara).

Maureen was preceded in death by her husband, son, sister Kathleen Cipriano, her parents, and parents-in-law, Dorothy Arlene (Youell) and Paul Albert Schwarz.

A private graveside service is planned at Woodland Cemetery, Quincy, IL with Fr. Tom Meyer of Blessed Sacrament Church officiating.

The family would like to express profound gratitude to Fr. Tom Meyer, Blessed Sacrament EMHC ministers and parish office staff, Maureen’s Quincy Medical Group physicians and nurses, and the Blessing Hospital Hospice team for the compassionate care, comfort, peace, and dignity they gave Maureen throughout her illness and final journey of life.

Memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, Blessing Hospice Foundation, or to the Adams County Humane Society. Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.