Obituary: Marilyn Jean Wagner Moran, 89, Life-Long Highland Park Resident

The following obituary is from Kelley Spalding Funeral Home.

Marilyn Jean Wagner Moran, a lifetime resident of Highland Park, IL was born on March 28, 1923 and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family February 18, 2013.

She was preceded in death by her parents Kathryn, nee Johnson and Frank Wagner; brother, Frank “Bub” Wagner; sisters Betty (Hank) Klein and Kay Kunath Foster; and grandson, Matthew Moran.

She married the love of her life, John Herbert Moran, and together they shared 53 years of love and devotion. They were an example to all who knew them of what true love could be. Death parted them 16 years ago and now death reunites them.

Marilyn was the only one in her family to graduate from college with a degree from National College of Education in Evanston, IL, but put aside her teaching career to raise her children.

She was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church for over 75 years, which included volunteering as the school secretary and in the parish office.

Her Irish eyes were always smiling and she loved a sing-a-long, especially around the dining room table after a holiday dinner. She was a wonderful cook and baker and she loved her house to be filled with family and friends. She never had a bad word to say about anyone and never said a bad word, making famous the term “fudge ripple”.

She loved to play golf and was an avid sports fan supporting her favorite teams: the Cubs, Bears and Notre Dame, but “Nana’s” greatest joy was cheering on with pride her 7 children and 18 grandchildren’s teams across the country.

Special thanks go out to the staff at Layton Terrace in Greenfield, WI for their gentle loving care this past year and a half and also Vitas Hospice for their support and guidance to the end.

Marilyn is survived by her devoted children: John, Jr. (Sue), Mike (Betty), Mary (Steve) White, Jerry, Joe (Tricia), Jeanne (John) and Jim (Rita); cherished by 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and more on the way.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013 from 4-7 pm at Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park, IL. A funeral mass to celebrate Marilyn’s life will be held Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 10 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 770 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park, IL. Interment St. Mary Cemetery, Lake Forest, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Matthew J. Moran Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 882 Skaneateles, NY 13152 or to the charity of your choice or perform an act of kindness in memory of the kindness our Mom showed to all.