EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. () — Two months after Queen of Martyrs School shut its doors for good, former students, families and neighbors returned Sunday for one last gathering filled with memories, gratitude and goodbye.
The farewell event began with Sunday Mass and continued with a reception honoring the Catholic school’s 74-year legacy in Evergreen Park. Alumni spanning decades of graduating classes came back to reconnect, share stories and reflect on the lasting impact Queen of Martyrs had on their childhoods and the wider community.
“It’s like a family reunion to see a bunch of my classmates I haven’t seen in a while. It’s nice,” said Xavier Alvarez, a member of the Class of 2025.
According to the Archdiocese of Chicago, the decision to close Queen of Martyrs came as the school struggled with falling enrollment and a projected financial shortfall of more than $400,000.
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For many who attended Sunday’s reunion, the closure marked more than the end of a school year or a building’s daily routine. It was the loss of a longtime Evergreen Park institution that shaped generations of students.
“I feel bad I had some good times here some bad times here, but it’s a shame they let the school shutdown. We’re running out of places for kids to go to school,” said Bob Weber, a member of the Class of 1958.
Some alumni traveled from outside the area, noting that even after moving to other cities and states, Queen of Martyrs remained firmly tied to their memories of growing up in Evergreen Park.
“Just a part of your past is gone. It was sad when they changed the church then when I found out they’re changing the school that just hurts. I loved it that’s why it hurts, and I loved it because I was only two blocks away,” said Sue Panozzo, a member of the Class of 1967.
For many who returned Sunday, the gathering offered an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and celebrate the legacy of a school that served the community for more than seven decades.
