Marilyn Perno

Marilyn L. Perno of Chicago died of natural causes Friday, September 29, 2023 at the age of 93. She was born to Edward and Gladys Kingston on February 27, 1930 and was raised on Chicago’s south side. Marilyn attended Wilson City college and was crowned prom queen in 1948, a title she embodied for the rest of her life. She was a “girl Friday” for Twentieth Century Fox, meeting many celebrities of the day, before settling down with her middle school sweetheart Jack M. Perno on August 26, 1950.

The devoted mother of five, Marilyn is remembered by her children as an incredible cook, a Cub Scouts Den Mother, a Girl Scout leader, volunteer with the National Conference of Christians and Jews, a successful realtor, and occasionally, as “Sarge.” In retirement, Marilyn enjoyed attending the symphony, live theater, visiting art museums, travelling, reading to schoolchildren, dining out with friends, throwing secret cocktail parties in quarantine, and spoiling her grandchildren. She loved any excuse to celebrate life’s milestones and accomplishments big and small with a bottle of champagne and was known by all as a consummate merrymaker. Marilyn will be remembered fondly by friends and family for her warmth, wit, charisma, and relentless positivity and encouragement.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack, her parents, Edward and Gladys Kingston, and her sisters Nancy Kingston and Natalie “Mickey” Williams. She is survived by her children, Jack E. Perno, David L. Perno (Kathleen), Susan J. Perno, Cynthia L. Reed (John), and Merri “Chris” Merrill (George Kreke). She relished her role as Grandma to Shaun, Ryan, Matthew, Alison, Carly, Jackson, Teddy, Tefford, Jessica, Traci, Mike, and Tenley, as Great Grandma to Madison, Emma, Logan, Violet, Alexandra, John, James, Jenson, Dashiell, Thayer, Graydon, and Stuart, and as a cherished aunt and great aunt of many nieces and nephews. Marilyn will be missed by countless friends and “rent-a-grandchildren” whose lives she enriched immeasurably.

A private interment will take place on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you enjoy an oatmeal cookie or a cup of coffee with extra whipped cream and a stiff pour of Jameson, as Marilyn did.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.blakelamboaklawn.com for the Perno family.