Marilyn Kennedy (nee Ryan), 82, of Zion, IL, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025 at home.
Born March 18, 1943 in Booneville, MS. She lived in Booneville until the age of 6 then moved to Zion, IL. Marilyn graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School with the class of 1961. She married Michael Gibbs Kennedy on May 23, 1962. Marilyn was a stay at home mom until her son Mike was a bit older and then she became the East Elementary Grade School lunch lady. Marilyn made sure there was a tray of extra leftover food available for kids that needed more.
Marilyn loved to cook, her recipes were always tried and tweaked but always such goodness. She loved to crochet - afghans, prayer shawls, prayer cloths and pot holders and knit dish rags, it kept her hands busy and she could do it without looking. Marilyn also enjoyed her morning phone calls that took up most of her mornings, doing crosswords puzzles, reading books, and gardening. She also loved estate sales and going to “Sally’s” multiple times a week to find treasures.
Most of all she cherished her family, Mike and Diane, Hayley, Savannah Kennedy, Nick Chevillot, Myrna Carole and George, Randy and Ramona, Phil, Lynn and Neil Laya, Aime, Blair, Nick and Jake Morrison. Her neighborhood family, specifically Mark and Cathy Pietras, and all of those that lived on 16th Street that always kept a close eye on each other, the ones that came and went and the ones still there.
Then there was her close knit group of “CLUB” friends as they called themselves, past and present. “CLUB” would get together once a month at a different house and talk about everything and anything while trying new recipes and snacks. For this she was blessed to call them family as well.
Marilyn is survived by her son, Mike (Diane) Kennedy of Winthrop Harbor; granddaughters, Hayley Marie Kennedy of Lake Bluff, IL, and Savannah Louise Kennedy of Winthrop Harbor; sister Myna Carole (George) Laya of New York; niece Aime (Blair) Morrison of California; nephews, Randy (Ramona) Laya of California, and Phil (Lynn) Laya of New York; great-nephews, Nick and Jake Morrison of California, and Neil Laya of Alabama; also her dearest friends from “CLUB”.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Gibbs Kennedy; parents, Leland Lester Ryan and Rachel Emmaline Ryan; brother, Billie Reed Ryan; and mother-in-law, Lora Maxine Gibbs Kennedy.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. A memorial service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department, 830 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Congdon & Co Funeral Directors
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
7:00 - 7:30 pm (Central time)
Congdon & Co Funeral Directors
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