Marilyn F. Blackwell

She was born in Chicago on May 20, 1928, the daughter of Dr. Warren and Mrs. Helen Albright Blim.

While she was born with a withered and deformed right arm and right leg, she did not consider herself disabled. Early surgeries to improve her functioning and even a visit to California to see Rev. Billy Graham in her childhood did little to effect any change. Nevertheless, she persisted in finishing high school, although she had to climb stairs to change classes with her limited mobility.

She married Cyril Blackwell in 1948. They spent the early years of their marriage managing a turkey farm in Crete, Illinois. Cyril predeceased her, dying of cancer on August 16, 1991.

Marilyn was a dedicated homemaker all of her life and raised two fine sons, managed household tasks efficiently and was a wonderful cook. She lived in Chicago Heights as a child and then in Frankfort, Illinois for most of her adult life.

In her later years, she spent 18 years at Martin Health Center at Westminster Village in Bloomington, Illinois, where she enjoyed regaling the staff with stories of her wild life in young adulthood. She recently moved to LeRoy Manor and was just beginning to make friends and create joy there.

Survivors include her loving sons and daughters-in-law, Robert (Jean) Blackwell of Kingman, Arizona, and Paul (Dr. Mary Dellorto) Blackwell of Downs, Illinois; four cherished grandchildren, Dr. Kellee (Tony Marinaccio) Blackwell of Peoria, Arizona, Cory (Mieke) Blackwell of Springfield, Illinois, Zachariah Dellorto-Blackwell of Portland, Oregon and Cassidy Dellorto-Blackwell of Lanzhou, China; beloved granddaughter Eliana Blackwell of Springfield, Illinois and step-grandchildren Devin and Marley Marinaccio of Peoria, Arizona.

It was her wish to be cremated and to have no memorial service. Cremation rites have been accorded by East Lawn Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.

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