Genevieve M. Maranto

Genevieve "Jeanie" Marie Maranto, 93, of Arlington Heights, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025 with her family by her side. She was born July 30, 1932, in Chicago, to Carmelo and Josephine (nee Butera) Geraci.

Jeanie was married to the love of her life, Vincent, for 59 years until his passing in 2015. They met in July 1955 and were engaged by Christmas that same year. She always said she considered it the "perfect marriage."

She was a loving stay-at-home mother for the majority of her life. In her earlier years, she was the head office girl for S.S. Kresge Company (Kmart). While raising her children, she enjoyed working for the priests at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, in Arlington Heights, where she was a parish member for 57 years. She would ride the school bus with them, to get to her job, since she never drove.

Jeanie was a big sports fan. She loved watching college football, especially the Illini. She was an avid watcher of all types of game shows and would challenge anyone in Jeopardy. She would say, "You have to keep the mind and the body working!" She was a chocoholic, especially with her Hershey Kisses. It was amazing how many she could eat and could unwrap one faster than anyone. Jeanie also loved music, especially Paul Anka. She saw him in concert several times. The most memorable one was when Paul Anka came down, went up to her, danced with just her and sang "Put Your Head on my Shoulder" to her. She was on cloud 9 and never forgot that moment. She also couldn't get enough of country music.

There was one thing on Jeanie's bucket list and that was to fly in an airplane. At 87 years old she flew, for the first time, to her grandson's wedding in Iowa. She was so proud, and so were we, that she was finally able to do that.

Most importantly, Jeanie loved her family and her family loved her very much. Especially her meatballs! Her grandchildren called her "Jeanie Beanie" and she told everyone she met that was her nickname. Her great-grandchildren called her Nonna. They loved playing games with her, especially Bunco and Sorry. She loved watching videos of them doing sports, like basketball and soccer, or just being funny. She also enjoyed her hour's (5+) long phone conversations with her family.

Genevieve is survived by her 3 children, Vincent Maranto, Concetta (Curt) Bluemke, and Anthony Maranto; Her 4 grandchildren: Jonathan (Emily) Bluemke, Nicole Bluemke, Michael Bluemke, and Anton Maranto; Her great-grandchildren, Rylan Bluemke, Luca Bluemke, and Baby Boy Bluemke on the way; Her dear sister Rose Underhill, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceeded in death by her husband, Vincent E. Maranto; her parents; her sisters and brother-in law's Santa (James) Bux and Josephine (Anthony) Scarpace; Her nephew William Underhill and her Niece Samantha Lehman; Her father-in law and mother-in-law Concetta (nee Collara) and Giuseppe Maranto; Her dear friend Julie Bluemke; and many loved family members on her husband's side.

Inurnment, at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made, in memory of, to Toys for Tots. https://www.toysfortots.org/support-us/donate-in-memory-or-in-honor/