Maria King

Maria Renee King (nee Melone), 46, of Wheaton, passed away December 5, 2023. Beloved wife of Séamus King; adoring mother of Madalyn; cherished daughter of Louis & Connie Melone; dear sister of Louis Jr. (Sue) Melone, Virginia (John) Perozzi; loving daughter-in-law of Phillip & Patricia King, and sister-in-law of Donovan King, Keegan (Kim) King, Rory (Amy) King, and Logan (Kelley) King; proud aunt of Maria Perozzi, Stephanie Melone, Sarah Melone, Nicole (Dane) Schielein, Tommy (Mariah) Melone, Kieran King, McKenna King, Declan King, Aislyn King, Tierney King, and Finley King; fond cousin and friend of many.

 

Maria was a beautiful soul who overcame extremely complicated physical health challenges from the day she was born until her day of rest.  What she accomplished in her short time was admirable and inspirational to those who were blessed to know her.  

 

Born and raised in South Chicago Heights, Maria graduated from Marian Catholic High School in 1995 and continued her education at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. While at Bradley Maria was a member of the “greatest” sorority in the world Gamma Phi Beta (Beta Eta Chapter).  As a member, she served various roles including Financial Vice President and a sorority recruitment counselor (Rho Chi) during her senior year.  Maria completed in education in four years and earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  Upon graduation Maria landed her first job at Coleman, Epstein, Berlin & Co. (2 years) in which during that time she studied and successfully passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam on her first attempt.  With her new CPA designation, she transitioned over to PricewaterhouseCoopers (5 years) and finishing her working career with BP America (14 years) up until her retirement in 2020.  During her career she earned numerous promotions and managerial roles with other opportunities she kindly passed on to allow herself more time with what her true love was, family.  

 

Maria met Séamus at a mutual friend’s party where her beautiful smile and big brown eyes captured him.  It was an instant connection that was practically preordained as unknown to them they first met when they were little toddlers at a doctor’s appointment.  They started dating and would get to know and enjoy time with each other’s families, dinners with friends, traveling everywhere they could and topping it off with a celebration of their marriage in May of 2005.  After living in Chicago for a few years they decided to move to Glen Ellyn where Maria’s urging desire to complete her family started.  Maria and Séamus welcomed God’s greatest gift to them, Madalyn Olivia.  Maria’s sole purpose was to raise a loving young woman with the same core family values through her faith, selfless actions, absolute love and compassion.  Maria would often listen before speaking but would be extremely hard pressed not to have a conversation without Madalyn being mentioned.  She loved sharing stories about Madalyn’s gymnastics, dance recitals, musicals, cheerleading, events at St. Michaels and most recently her early high school years at St. Francis in Wheaton. Madalyn was and still is the apple of her eye.  Proud isn’t a strong enough word to express how much Madalyn meant to Maria, but she always knew that her Madalyn will carry on her torch for a life cut way too short.  We have lost this beautiful soul and we are all overly fortunate to have been in her presence. The good Lord only takes the best.  Rest in Peace our dearest Maria.

 

Visitation Friday December 8, 2023, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187. Funeral Mass Saturday December 9, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187. Please meet at church. Entombment at Assumption Cemetery Wheaton, IL. Info @ www.williams-kampp.com or (630) 668-0016.  In lieu of flowers donations in Maria’s honor for her daughter’s future education are appreciated. Kindly send a check made out to Bright Directions and mail to Rory King at 27W316 Chartwell Drive, Winfield, IL 60190.