Marilyn Cahill Husar

Marilyn Cahill Husar, born March 30, 1933, to Joseph and Marie (Boyce) Cahill in Chicago, Illinois. Marilyn was survived by her children, Joseph Robert Husar (Jenny Oden Husar), Regina Husar (Paul Bivans), daugher-in-law Vicki Vitatoe Husar, grandchildren Alexandra (Ivan Hadad), Sydney, Samantha and John Robert, nephews Robert, Chip and David Weincek, Jeffrey Stephens and niece, Maryann Stephens Grabowski. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bud” Connor Husar.

Marilyn was extremely intelligent, she always provided advise (which was not always followed), loved to watch the stock market and was a loyal friend. She was not strict with her children, yet held them to high expectations. Marilyn loved to hear updates about her grandchildren and provide them guidance; she loved them dearly.

Marilyn grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, with her elder sister, Joan, who proceeded her in death. Her family was not wealthy, yet their parents provided the girls with private education, piano lessons, trips to the theater and downtown shopping at Marshall Fields. Marilyn attended Ascension Catholic Elementary, Trinity High School and Rosary College.

After college graduation, Marilyn taught school and lived with her parents. In the mid 1950s Marilyn met Bud at Adron’s bar in Forest Park. Bud used the line “where has this ravishing creature been” when meeting Marilyn. A year later, Marilyn entered the same bar and Bud used the same line. This time Bud called her and they were married in 1958 at Ascension Church. Bud got a job the week before the wedding at the Sears, Harlem and North Avenue, because Marilyn’s mother disapproved of her marriage to a man without a job.

Marilyn and Bud owned a number of harness racing horses with their trainer and jockey Homer Ballard. The world of horse racing provided lots of entertainment for post race parties and traveling around the country, plus some heartbreak.

Joe was born in 1960 while Bud and Marilyn were renting an apartment in Oak Park. Marilyn stopped working five months prior to his birth because teachers were not allowed to be seen while pregnant! During this time they played a lot of bridge with their friends, and spent weekends in Lake Geneva, WI.

In 1962, they bought a new home in Hoffman Estates. Reg was born in 1965 on a block filled with kids and young families.

Marilyn returned to teaching kindergarten for Schaumburg School District where she taught at Hillcrest, Dirksen and MacArthur schools until 1987. During her time off, she drove Joe to basketball, hockey and most often to golf, and Reg to swimming. Marilyn was a tremendous gardener, and enjoyed lounging in their pool and reading books. Marilyn and Bud spent evenings socializing with friends poolside and dining out.

Marilyn retired in 1987, and with Bud they spent many winters in Florida with friends. They moved to Gilbert, Arizona in 1994 where they lived until Bud passed away in 2004. They spent many weekends in Laughlin and Las Vegas. Marilyn struggled with Bud’s passing and was encouraged by her children to return to the Chicago area.

In 2004, Marilyn moved back to the Northwest Suburbs, reunited with old friends and made new friends through playing bridge, participating in the Woodfield Area Children’s Organization (WACO), Friday night movies and dinner at Dunton House with the “M’s”, hanging out at P’s and Q’s and Chicago Prime. Marilyn spent many nights and weekends with Paul and Reg, attending Paul’s gigs and dining out. Many holidays were spent with Paul’s family, Marcia and Kevin Kennelly and Kathy and Fred Raasch, who all treated her like a queen.

Marilyn always loved Florida and enjoyed her winters there after Joe bought his first condo in Naples in 2012. She loved playing bridge for the game and the comraderie, spent hours at the pool reading books and causing trouble with her friend Beth Wolf. In 2020, Marilyn purchased her own place in Gulf Breeze. Marilyn fought until the end where she passed away in her condo after saying goodbye to Joe, Reg and Paul.

For those who know her, just he name “Marilyn” may conjure up a smile, memory or “Marilyn Story”.

Marilyn will be entombed at a private family service at Hodges Funeral Home in Naples Florida on June 1, 2022. A Memorial Service in the Chicago Area will be planned for a later date.