Marion Schmidt Escallon

Marion Schmidt Escallon of Hoffman Estates Funeral arrangements for Marion Schmidt Escallon will be private. Born July 25, 1912, in Chicago, she passed away Friday, July 18, 2003, at Brighton Gardens, Hoffman Estates. Marion was a petroleum exploration geologist, and was the first woman to serve in that capacity at both Sinclair and Texaco. She graduated Phi Betta Kappa from the University of Michigan, and headed Texaco's office in Columbia in the late 1930's. In 1941, Marion earned her private pilot's license in five months, and married Carlos Escallon, subsequently living in Panama, Cuba and Columbia until 1949. She settled in North White Plains, N.Y., in 1951 and raised her sons, resuming her career with Texaco in 1955. She was active in local and national politics, and a member of the National Republican Committee. Marion also was a conservationist, assisting in several wildlife organizations, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a 60 years member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the American Radio Relay League (amateur radio license WA2VFY), and the Westchester Republican Party. Marion is survived by her sons, Eduardo C. Escallon of Elwood, Ind., and Roberto J. Escallon of Elgin, and was loved by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Fraser Schmidt; her father, Harry Logan Schmidt; and her sister, H. Elizabeth Schmidt. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Foundation for End-Of-Life Care (VITAS Hospice Charitable Fund), 580 Waters Edge, Suite 100, Lombard, IL 60148. Arrangements were made by the Laird Funeral Home, Elgin. Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book. For funeral information, (847)741-8800.