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Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) School Fire, December 1, 1958




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Margaret Mary Kucan
Room Age Birthdate Grade B/G/T
212 10 8/25/48 5 Girl
Teacher
Sister Mary Clare Therese Champagne, BVM
Address
3824 W Chicago 
Family
Father: Slavko J. Kucan
Mother: Yola G. (Camastro) Kucan
Brother: John J. Kucan
Brother: Robert A. Kucan
Sister: Susan M. Kucan
Grandparents: Eugene and Concetta Camastro, and John and Margaret Kucan 
About Margaret
Margaret was an adopted child. She wanted to be a nun. 
Interred: Mount Carmel (Hillside, IL)
Memories of Margaret
I met Margaret's mom when her sister (who was not born at the time of the fire) called me at my home. Mrs kucan's husband had just died and they had never spoken of Margaret after the fire. In fact, she said he was a sad man the rest of his life. Mrs. Kucan was a brave lady; she wanted to know everything in full detail that I could remember that happened that day in room 212. I knew this before I went to meet her at her home and I thought that it would be a very difficult experience, but as it turned out, she was a very brave lady and I think she received some long awaited closure from our conversation. She was without question a lady of great faith in God and I know He will reward her for it. She surly has carried His cross. Always, John Raymond.
    -- (John Raymond, Friend)
My name is Susan Musil (Kucan), and I am Margie's sister. I contacted John Raymond through the article in the Chicago Magazine that my brother Rob brought home. John Raymond came and spoke with us in our home in Mt. Prospect, IL after the death of my father. I thank John dearly for sharing the knowledge with my Mother, Yola, who so desperately needed the closure that was spoken of. I will never know Margaret, as I wasn't born until 1962. I don't actually know anything about Margaret except what I learned from my family. I knew she was a very smart girl. She used to play school teacher during her free time at home with my brother John and my cousins, Gloria & Patricia Kucan. From what I recall, her ambition was to become either a nun or a zookeeper. The pictures we hold in our lives are of a beautiful, energetic girl. My parents never really talked much of this tragedy while I grew up. I found information by bits and pieces from other family and from John Raymond. Even though I'll never know Margaret, something holds so extremely strong and dear in my heart for her. Someday I will meet her and then we will share great times together. Until then, all I can do is wait, think and know that she is in a better place and that I Love Her and hold her close to my heart.
    -- (Susan Musil, Sister)
Margaret was a bright and energetic girl and always neat as a pin. Joanne Sarno, who also perished, and I would play school with her on my back porch. Margaret was the teacher as she was the oldest. Margaret had a beautiful room and I will never forget her dolls. I remember her mom and dad as lovely people who always invited us in. I also remember her adorable baby brother John. My family will always keep you in our hearts, dear Margaret.
    -- (Dorothy Miceli Boryk, Friend)