Margaret “Meg” Carroll Family of Margaret Carroll
On Friday, Dec. 20, President Keith Elder, Ph.D., MPH, MPA, announced to the Saint Xavier Community that Education Professor Margaret “Meg” Kelly Carroll, Ed.D., had suddenly passed away.
“Saint Xavier University is saddened to learn of the sudden death of education professor Dr. Meg Carroll. Meg was a dedicated educator, mentor and colleague whose contributions to our community were immeasurable,” shared Elder.
Carroll taught and worked at SXU for around 40 years, focusing heavily in Special Ed Programs and early childhood, according to Phyllis Cavallone-Jurek, Ed.D., Director of Education.
Cavallone-Jurek explained, “While she did an amazing job teaching, it was everything about who and how she was that uplifted and empowered her students, and that was felt by all who knew her. She truly embodied what is meant to be as an amazing teacher.”
Angelo Bonadonna, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Language and Literature, shared his remembrance of Carroll. “Meg was wise and talented, but most of all she was kind and generous. The love she drew to her from so many students and friends gave her almost an aura that was visible.”
“She represents the soul of SXU in its best potential. She was one of a kind, but oddly, also, a simple incarnation of what one would expect of a professor and friend, if such things could be conceived in ideal form,” Bonadonna expressed.
“I hope we all can continue to channel our ‘inner Meg’ to serve others and perpetuate the good work she helped trailblazer. If we could do this, I think she would be smiling upon us, pleased that she had that influence. I encourage people to continue to lean into what they knew to be her wonderful spirit,” shared Cavallone-Jurek.
“She was not like a teacher but more like a friend,” explained Lizbeth Rodriquez, a student, “She was beyond amazing, I would say the best thing that has happened at SXU.”
Another student, Kara Frenscel, shared that Carroll helped her late at night well past office hours, when she needed additional support. “At like 12 in the morning I got an email from her with research she did of things that I could do. The dedication was crazy. She genuinely cared.”
Carroll taught many classes at SXU in the education department and was involved in different organizations, all of which benefited and assisted others. “She was involved in every aspect of our division,” explained Cavallone-Jurek.
Carroll served several years on the Boards of the Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois and Our Lady of Tepeyac High School. Carroll contributed to these organizations in many ways. She helped with workshops, held leadership roles, and more.
The SXU community was previously invited to visit a remembrance space for Carroll in the Butler Reception Room on Jan. 13 and 14. Materials were available to write a special memory of her that would be shared with her family.
The University is planning a celebration of Life service in late March. The university will later reveal details.
Cavallone-Jurek explained that some staff members in the Education Department have been walking past Carroll’s office door and feeling the sorrow of her loss. “We miss her. We walk by her door daily, and many just pause and look. “We feel different without her and miss her dearly,” she stated.
Carroll’s services will be held on February 15th at Christ the King Church, located at 9235 South Hamilton Ave., Chicago, IL. Visitations will be held from 12-2 p.m., followed by a memorial service starting at 2 p.m.
Instead of flowers, Carroll’s family requested donations towards the Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), and the Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois in her honor.
For more information on memorial services and to view Carroll’s obituary, visit, https://www.heeneyfh.com/obituary/dr-margaret-meg-kelly-carroll#serviceinfo.
McDonough Chapel is available for those in need of quiet reflection. Students seeking counseling are asked to contact the SXU Counseling Center at counselingservices@sxu.edu.