McCord, Josephine

Community activist and icon Josephine McCord dies at 85. A lifelong Chicagoan, she garnered numerous awards for her outreach efforts.

Born April 26, 1931, Josephine Roberta Brigham McCord spent her life advocating for others as a mother of 10 ( through her July 1950 union with Leo McCord); a lifelong member of St. Malachy Church; and a civil rights activist who worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during his Chicago Campaign and continued that work as a protector and champion of the marginalized and underserved.

A pastoral associate and business manager at St. Malachy for more than 20 years, Josephine retired in 2004. Her work on behalf of the parish was recognized via numerous citations, including the Bishop Dempsey Award ( Interfaith Organizing Project), the Augustus Tolton Award, and the Martha Jane Tolton Award ( Office of Black Catholics of the Archdiocese of Chicago).

Josephine also worked for Illinois Bell. She attended St. Malachy High School, St. Xavier College and Roosevelt University.

Though small in stature, Josephine was giant in the hearts of many. Affectionately known as “Granny,” she was an inspirational matriarch to a host of family and friends.

Funeral services for Josephine R. McCord are as follows: Wake Saturday, December 3, 2016, 2: 00 p. m. Funeral Mass 3: 00 p. m. at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 2248 W. Washington, Chicago, IL 60612.