Marilyn L. Wolfe

Marilyn was born on April 2, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, the only child of John and Helen (Walker) Kohs. She married Clarence Peter Wolfe on August 22, 1953, in Chicago. Paired up by friends, Clarence and Marilyn met on a blind date. Appropriately, their song became “One Enchanted Evening”. Clarence preceded Marilyn in death on May 24, 2007, in Grayslake, Illinois.

Survivors include her children Craig Wolfe of Westville, New Jersey, Sherry Wolfe (Russ Carnito) of Lisle, Illinois, and Scott Wolfe (Maria) of Deerfield, Illinois. Grandchildren are Kelsey Wolfe of Des Moines, Iowa, and Nathaniel Wolfe of Lansing, Michigan.

Marilyn was a secretary and stenographer at Commonwealth Edison for 5 years before becoming a loving stay-at-home mother. Marilyn kept an immaculate home and loved to entertain family and friends. She loved interior design, and in the days before HGTV and home magazines, she went to model homes in new subdivisions to get interior design inspiration. Marilyn also enjoyed cooking/baking, crafting, being a Boy Scout Den Mother, being part of the Red Hats Club, going on day trips from Grayslake, and attending live theater. After her children grew, before moving to Grayslake, Marilyn volunteered nearly 5 days/week for 15+ years in the La Grange Memorial Community Hospital gift shop, where she was a buyer, decorator, and sales assistant.

Marilyn lived for 11 years in Brookdale Senior Living: 4 years in assisted living in Brookdale Vernon Hills and 7 years in Brookdale Lisle skilled nursing. Marilyn’s greatest love was music, especially live music. Daughter, Sherry, was very blessed to be able to take Marilyn to weekly live music entertainment in the attached independent living building at Brookdale Lisle. Marilyn played the accordion when she was young and especially enjoyed entertainers who played the accordion too. Marilyn was beloved by and a favorite of the staff at Brookdale. In spite of being confined to a special wheelchair and enduring declining physical and mental health, Marilyn never complained. The more she declined, the sweeter Marilyn became. She always smiled, praised and thanked staff, and would make sure to tell everyone that she loved them.

Marilyn will be greatly missed by her family. They are comforted by knowing that she is reunited with family and friends who have gone on to heaven before her. Marilyn is now at peace with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Memorial donations in Marilyn’s honor may be given to the American Heart Association.