Maggie Daley looks toward ‘new chapter’ after mayor’s retirement

• Reprints

Mayor Richard Daley and wife Maggie visit Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine on Friday, as part of his neighborhood appreciation tour. | John H. White~Sun-Times.

Updated: July 13, 2011 12:15AM

Saying, “it’s been a good life,” Maggie Daley said Friday she’s looking forward to writing “another chapter” as her husband faces political retirement and passes the baton to Rahm Emanuel.

Daley reflected on her husband’s 22 years as mayor after joining him on the final stop of his farewell “neighborhood appreciation tour” at Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine.

That’s the park where Richard Michael Daley played baseball as a kid.

“It’s unbelievable. Twenty-two years have flown by, but it’s been a wonderful experience for us, and it’s been a good life. It’s a good life,” Maggie Daley said.

Asked what she is looking forward to now, Mrs. Daley replied “another chapter. That’s all. We’re looking forward to other possibilities. We’re going to be — hope to be involved, hope to do good things for the city and to support Mayor Emanuel and that will be that.”

Maggie Daley said she intends to remain very involved in the After School Matters program that grew out of her arts and education program known as Gallery 37.

Gallery 37 filled a giant hole in the the Loop known as Block 37. After School Matters is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. That’s the anniversary that Mayor Daley celebrated at Ogden Park Friday.

The mayor leaves office on Monday when Emanuel is sworn in but he has run through the finish line, appearing in virtually all of the 50 wards to cut ribbons, say goodbye and celebrate his 22 years in office.

When asked whether she was worried about her husband staying busy in political retirement, Maggie Daley said, “Oh no. He’ll be busy. I think the first day will be a shock but after that, we’ll have so many things to be involved in. There are a lot of options and a lot of discussions. It’s a just a matter of his choosing one of many. It’s a great thing to be able to start another chapter in your life.”

Many men have a difficult time making the adjustment to retirement. Wives sometimes suffer because of it. Asked Friday if it might be a tough transition, Mrs. Daley said, “I don’t think so. I don’t, but you never know. We’ll take it one day at a time, but I think it’s going to be good. I think it’s going to be good.”

Maggie Daley has been battling metastatic breast cancer since 2002. She has recently been in an out of the hospital — first to replace a titanium rod in her cancer weakened right leg, then for an infection she got while in the hospital for that operation.

On Friday, Mrs. Daley used a walker but said she feels good. “I have a lot of challenges ahead. But anybody who has cancer has the same experience. We’re a mighty group. I’m not alone. I’m one of many,” she said.

Richard M. Daley is expected to walk out of City Hall as mayor for the final time at 5 p.m. Friday.

Maggie Daley was asked whether she believes her always-emotional husband will shed a tear when we walks out of City Hall as mayor for the final time.

“Maybe. He may. He may.” But then she quickly added, “We’re lucky to have a new chapter.... That’s exciting. Sometimes, people don’t take advantage of that. I’m glad we have that opportunity while we’re still vibrant. We have a lot to do.”

So she’s not afraid of change?

“No. I welcome it.”