Chris Churney

Chris Anne Theresa Churney, “Cat C”, 72, passed away peacefully at home in Rogers Park on September 12, 2025. Born in Denver, CO, the first daughter/second child of seven born to a traveling jingle writer/restaurant owner and a homemaker. Chris graduated from Rich Central High School in Olympia Fields, IL and earned her cosmetology certificate from Truman College. She worked as a technician at Hair Club for Men, and also at several salons. Chris held various other jobs as a single mother, including lunch lady at her son’s school (St. Ignatius Catholic School in Rogers Park) where she also taught art to K-8 students. She cleaned houses, worked at the High Ridge YMCA, and served as a nanny to an autistic child. A sensitive person, Chris was deeply impacted by the state of the world around her. She was affectionate with her children and took them to protests and also to church, where the family found community. Recently, she worked on Bernie Sanders’ political campaign. Chris experienced times of struggle and thus took her own mental health very seriously. She worked hard to achieve her peace. Chris had a strong faith in God, re-used the same annual calendar of daily prayers, and led her children in prayer over dinner: “Thank you God, for this day. Bless this food in Jesus’ name. Amen.” She was very generous to several non-profits, including veterans’ organizations, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and PBS/WTTW. Chris was creative and talented. She took guitar lessons well into her later years. She also enjoyed connecting with people—she would talk to anyone and often adopted random older people without family. Devoted mother of Jon Eric Churney and Jade Marie (Serhii) Rybalko. Dear daughter of Mary Francis Churney (nee Hensley), sister of Mark (Mary) of Minnesota, Steve of Texas, Leslie and twins Max and Matt, all of Illinois; and Bill, also of Texas. Preceded in death by father Robert John Churney and infant sister Judith Geryann Churney. Celebration of life, Wednesday October 15, 12-3pm (eulogies begin 12:30pm) at Bohemian National Cemetery Chapel, 5255 N. Pulaski, Chicago, Illinois, 60630. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed via this Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events_invite_off_fb/link_sharing/1875072003366124/?inviter_id=100002856451643&token=eIf54wOtC-rk3vmEWIFTg-v2gD45elQLqIdFET5LUTk&mibextid&dl_redirect=1#no_universal_links In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Gilda's Club Chicago https://www.gildasclubchicago.org/ways-to-give/donate/. arrangement by inclusive Funeral Care 773-318-1305 or www.inclusivefuneralcare.com.

Chris Churney

April 1, 1953 - September 12, 2025