IL. and was a mother. grandmother. dedicated congressional staffer. community leader. and a passionate advocate for the homeless. Margaret was born in Rockford. IL. but later moved to Arlington Heights. and during her time there. she was an active member of St. James Catholic Church. Through the churchs outreach. she witnessed the areas migrant farmworkers housing plight and became a member of the inaugural Village Housing Commission in 1979. She continued in that post through 2006. Locally. she was known as the "housing leader of Arlington Heights." and she spent much of her time volunteering with Public Action to Deliver Shelter.