Marilyn Burke

Marilyn Jone Burke, née Beisler, age 85, of Glenview, Illinois passed away on Monday, June 13th, 2022. Beloved wife of 44 years to the late Edmund “Ted” Burke; loving mother of Mike (Susan) Burke, Tracey Burke O’Donnell, Kelly Burke, and Megan Burke (Mike) Beckman; cherished grandmother of Eleanor, Zachary, TJ, Ryanne, John, Erin, and Jake; treasured great-grandmother to seven great-grandchildren; sister of Ron Beisler and the late Phyllis (late Cap) Adams.

Marilyn was born on July 1st, 1936 in Chicago, IL to parents Eleanor & Erwin Beisler, DDS. She grew up in Logan Square and attended Kelvyn Park High School; graduating from the original Maine High School after the family moved to Park Ridge, IL. Marilyn went on to attend Beloit College for two years where she planned to study anthropology. Growing up, Marilyn enjoyed many summers at the family cottage on Lower Loch Vista Dr. on Williams Bay Lake Geneva WI; she had fond memories of water skiing and waitressing with her sister at the local hamburger joint, the Arctic Circle.

Fate brought Marilyn and Ted together as both were passing through a revolving door in the Wrigley Building. Ted locked eyes with Marilyn, followed her back out, and convinced her to come back inside. He asked for her number and the rest, as they say, was history. They were married on August 17, 1957 and remained together until Ted’s passing in 2002.

She was a lover of music and had an impeccable sense of style; no one could pull off orange lipstick quite like she could. She had a strong will and an ever-curious mind. Marilyn spent time raising and breeding three golden retrievers. And although she never realized her dream of becoming an anthropologist, she never stopped digging in the dirt and was an avid gardener, a passion she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Marilyn was very proud of her 35 years of sobriety.

Above all Marilyn loved her family and was a friendly ear throughout the years to the parade of her children’s friends who frequented the family home. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hadley School for the Blind, hadley.edu/donate.