Funeral held for former Chicago mayor Jane Byrne
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Family, friends, city leaders and well-wishers gathered Monday to bid a final farewell to Jane Byrne. Byrne, the first and only woman to serve as mayor of Chicago, died Friday at the age of 81.
The funeral mass began at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent De Paul Church. Attendees included Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
"She was the first woman, she was the only woman who was out there," Madigan said. "She took on the guys and she won."
Byrne's daughter Kathy delivered the eulogy and Mayor Emanuel spoke of her legacy in the city of Chicago.
WATCH: Kathy Byrne delivers the eulogy at Jane Byrne's funeral
Following the funeral, the hearse carrying Byrne's casket passed by City Hall where flags are flying at half-staff. The funeral procession also passed her childhood home in Sauganash and her longtime home on the Gold Coast on the way to Calvary Cemetery in Evanston. Mayor Byrne's parents, great grandparents and late husband were all buried at Calvary after the family plot was moved from what is now Lincoln Park around 1880.
Mayor Byrne's political legacy remembered
BYRNE'S POLITICAL LEGACY
Byrne was remembered as a trailblazer, a pioneer in politics and someone who will be missed by all.
"She was a woman when you didn't have glass ceilings, you had lead ceilings," said political consultant Thom Serafin.
"In my mind, it was never an impossibility to think that a girl could rise to the ranks of mayor," said City Clerk Susanna Mendoza, "and that's because of Mayor Jane Byrne."
From the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, Jane Byrne was a major player in Democratic circles during one of the most politically tumultuous periods in Chicago history. She was a progressive mayor who hired the city's first black school superintendent, battled political sexism and recognized the gay community.
"She gave as good as she got, I'll say that," said David Axelrod. "Jane Byrne took no prisoners."
Many of her political allies attended her funeral, as well as others who at first supported and then opposed Mayor Byrne.
"She did a great job for the city of Chicago and I think she would have been there a long time had she not disappointed the black community," said former alderman Dorothy Tillman.
Mayor Emanuel spoke during the service. He recalled Byrne's support for gun control and gay rights, and her visionary ideas for the lakefront.
WATCH: Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks at Jane Byrne's funeral
Byrne had been in poor health after suffering a stroke in 2013. She made few public appearances and was most recently seen in August as the Circle Interchange and Water Tower Plaza were renamed in her honor.
PHOTOS: Jane Byrne's Life in Pictures
Obituary: Jane M. Byrne
Jane M. Byrne, beloved wife of the late Jay McMullen and the late Lt. William P. Byrne. Loving mother of Kathy Byrne. Special grandmother of Willy. Dear sister of Edward J. (Julie) Burke, Carol Sexton, Mary Jill (James) Wolf, the late Donna (John) Fitzpatrick and the late William (the late Carole). Aunt of 33 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews. Daughter of the late William and Katharine Burke.
DONATIONS INFORMATION
In lieu of flowers donations to the Byrne Chicago Scholarship at the Loyola University School of Law 25 E. Pearson St. Chicago, IL 60611 or the National Shrine of St. Jude care of the St. Jude League 205 W. Monroe Chicago, IL 60606 are appreciated.
Donations Links:
Byrne Chicago Scholarship at Loyola University School of Law
