Maureen "Moe" McNamara Platz

Maureen “Moe”

McNamara Platz

53

October 30, 1971 - March 27, 2025

 Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

I have always been strong-willed, in charge of all the decisions, and the head of my family - whether I realized it or not. I’d like to say my bucket list was complete because I did finally get some carrots to grow in our garden this past year. I think I dug my fair share of the fence post holes and picked up my quota of rocks, too. As Gandalf from Lord of the Rings would tell you, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” The funny thing is, that I hardly had time to think about this - with all the projects we had going on and all the others that we needed to redo (no joke we love to redo things we thought were finished). We wouldn’t live on Black Cloud Farms if things always worked out well.

I was born on Monday, October 30, 1971 to Dorothy and Joe McNamara in Chicago, IL. We lived briefly in Medford, Wisconsin, but finally settled in Capron, Illinois. Growing up, my brother Pat and I did everything together. We cleaned the barn, took care of the animals, played games, watched tv, and wondered how our sister got out of the barn chores. As an adult, my sister Joyce was one of my closest confidantes. Our families vacationed together yearly, we took school field trips together with our kids, went out to eat, went to the county fairs, had dinner at each other’s houses, and took turns calling one another for hours at a time.

I married my husband Bob after going to school together at UW-Whitewater. I graduated with honors. He eventually graduated. I blessed myself with two daughters who became my life. I have been their advisor, teacher, friend, mom, personal shopper, fellow book-saler, and event planner. I love to play games with them - even though Lola always wins Pictopia and always wants to play the Horse Auction game. I love to play Ticket to Ride with Megan too, despite how stressful it can be to claim a route before someone else and fine, so I don’t always know which spot Nashville goes to - I only messed it up that one time!

You might want to cut this article out and if you can find the scissors (we never could) - go for it. But keep in mind that I’d probably ask you what the heck you’d need it for - if you say bookmarker I’ll let you keep it, but only if you’re reading something worthwhile - like a Nancy Drew or a Hardy Boys or a Richard Peck or a Judy Blume or a John Grisham or a cozy mystery or a Mrs. Jeffries or Mr. Brown Can Moo or Go Dog Go or Henry & Mudge or Harry Potter or historical fiction or Johnny Tremain or Mercy Watson or The Watson’s Go To Birmingham or a dictionary.

Be thankful for the time we had together and try not to dwell on the time that we lost. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” -Dr. Larabee (Akeelah and the Bee). I went unexpectedly to be with my departed Gram-mama and beloved pets on March 27, 2025 leaving behind my girls, Megan & Lola, husband Bob, and orange kitty Mochi.

I want my girls to know what Maria Portokalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) said, and to always remember this truth: “I gave you life so that you could live it.” If Babe Ruth(The Sandlot) was here, he’d tell us, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” Be a legend. Be brave. Be strong. Know you are loved by me. If you ever find yourselves lost, remember “...the best things happen by chance. Because that’s life.” -Dory (Finding Nemo). “Go. Live your dream” -Hook Hand (Tangled). And always remember, “mother knows best.” -Mother Gothel (Tangled).

I am preceded in death by my Gram-mama (Catherine Candlish), Uncle Bill (William Candlish), Grandma & Grandpa Mac (Caroline & John McNamara), Uncle Jim (James McNamara), Uncle Juan (John McNamara), Aunt Carol McNamara, Diane Platz, Sue Schoenborn, Gwen Solberg, Kyle Mihm, Mary Ann Mytko, Sybilla Chapman, two beloved Macko dogs & a Muffin, and cherished recent pets: Hunter Buddy, Puddy & Cutie-Pie, and Neptune Nibbles. May I forever be watched over by them.

I am survived by my husband Robert “Bob” Platz, my daughters Megan & Lola Platz, pumpkin-kitty Mochi, parents Dorothy & Joseph “Joe” McNamara, sister Joyce & brother-in-law Dave Smith, brother Pat (Patrick McNamara), nieces: Alexa McNamara, Nicole Smith, Hailey Smith, and Kaitlyn Smith, great-niece Brielle, email-buddy Aunt Linda & her husband Bob (Robert LaMontagne), auntie Carol Ann & uncle Joe Mason, and aunt Jean McNamara - among numerous extended family members whom I have enjoyed the company of and a few friends. “So there you go.” -Gus Portokalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).

My family would like to thank the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, City of Portage Police Department, Wisconsin State Police, Columbia County Medical Examiner’s Office (especially Deputy Medical Examiner Megan, who has been astoundingly kind and accommodating to my family), MAPS Autopsy, Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home funeral director Nathan Holly, every family member & friend who assisted my family on the morning of March 27 and every day afterwards. Thank you.

“Without you there’s darkness,

Without you there’s shadows,

Without you there’s cold,

Without you there’s nothing that matters.

With you there’s light,

With you there’s sun,

With you there’s warmth,

With you, shadows, there are none.”

-L.F. Platz

Forever missing you Mama Bunny.

A private celebration of life will be held within the year.

Any memorials can be sent directly to the family.

Please take a moment to view the online Tribute Wall. Send your condolences or share a memory of Moe with her family & friends.