A Maggie memorial: Former first lady’s spirit alive and well at Patrick Daley’s wedding

Patrick Daley, son of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, walks with his soon-to-be-bride, Tara Flocco, last Sunday at the Theater on the Lake in Chicago. | Colin Boyle/For the Sun-Times

Maggie was in the room.

Or at least it was the memory of her legacy.

And it happened when Patrick Daley, son of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, “tied the knot” with his true love, Tara Flocco, last Sunday in Chicago.

Sneed is told there wasn’t a dry eye at the Daley nuptials held at Theater on the Lake when Patrick’s late mother, Chicago’s former first lady Maggie Daley, was memorialized.

“They wanted a way to keep Maggie’s memory alive, so Patrick and Tara researched the history of the ancient wedding knot,” said a wedding attendee.

The couple took fabrics from Maggie’s wedding dress — as well as additional cloth keepsakes from both families — and fashioned a nuptial knot akin to a shawl.

In view of approximately 300 guests, the couple “found a way to bring Patrick’s late mother to the event,” said a family friend.

“So they wrapped the shawl like a wedding knot around each other’s shoulders when they exchanged vows in front of the people they loved,” the source said.

“The shawl also contained bits of leashes belonging to beloved family pets. It was so special.”

Maggie Daley

The couple — who exchanged vows administered by a family friend — also found another way to honor Maggie, who died in 2011.

They requested that all wedding gifts be donations to Maggie’s beloved “After School Matters” program, which now serves 19,000 teens in afterschool programs in subject areas including culinary, drama, dance, music and peacemaking.

“Maggie loved the city and it was Patrick and Tara’s way of honoring her,” said a wedding attendee.

The bride and groom, who began a new life out west several years ago, had come back to Chicago to wed in front of their large Irish and Italian families.

Former Mayor Richard M. Daley

The entire Daley clan was there, including Patrick’s father, a very “‘sentimental ‘Rich’,” a source said; John Daley and wife Mary Lou; Bill Daley; Michael Daley; Patricia Daley Martino and husband Peter Martino; the family of Mary Carol Vanecko, including her husband Dr. Robert Vanecko and sons; Peter Q. Thompson, and Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson.

There were also a variety of movers and shakers from the days when Daley was mayor, and many current power brokers.

In attendance were Neil Bluhm; Terry Newman; Mickey Segal and son Jonathan; Suzanne and Richard Friedman; Steve and Peggy Lombardo; Patrick Donelly; Sue Leonis; Cindy Pritzker; Trish Rooney; John Cullerton, wife Pamela and son Garritt; Patrick and Shirley Ryan; Michael Tadin; Judd Malkin; Lori Healey; John Colletti; Jack Sander; Les Coney; Thomas Kane, and Liza Sweitzer.

Other guests included: Elzie Higginbottom; Jacquelyn Heard; Michael Ferro and wife Jackie; Marti and John Higgins; Phyliss Lockett; Niranjan Shah; P. Nicholas Hurtgen; Mark Stisser; Fred Latsko; Fred B. Barbara; Jon Landan; Rich Rinella; Michael McGrath; Kieran Conlon; Steve Lombardo Jr.; Michael Marchese and wife Debbie; Robert Judelson, and Steven Pearlman.

And Maggie’s adored housekeeper for 36 years was also there.

“It was fun and casual and a love fest,” said one attendee.

Blessings to all.

Sneedlings . . .

Saturday’s birthdays: Naomi Watts, 51; Hilary Duff, 32; Nick Viall, 39. . . . Sunday’s birthdays: Kevin Durant, 31; Chrissy Metz, 39; and Calvin Johnson, 34.