It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Patricia Gannon, advisory board and emeritus board member in the DePaul University School of Music, on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Mary Patricia Gannon was a School of Music advisory board member.
Gannon was born in Iowa, and after completing college in Lake Forest, Ill., she chose to make her home in Chicago. Once settled in the city, she immediately engaged in local politics. She was part of two Chicago mayoral administrations, serving as a communications director and assistant press secretary.
Gannon's involvement at the DePaul University School of Music spanned several decades. Her membership on the school's advisory board resulted in a transformational contribution that named the main concert hall in the Holtschneider Performance Center the Mary Patricia Gannon Concert Hall. Her generous philanthropy reflected her passion for music, her deep appreciation for the School of Music and her desire to have a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of students and faculty.
In addition to her involvement with the School of Music, she was heavily involved with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Janice Hay is director of marketing and communications for the DePaul University School of Music.