Marjorie Mackey Cassato

1925 - 2021

Marjorie Jean Mackey Cassato passed away peacefully April 21 in her home with family by her side. Born March 22, 1925 to Robert & Ella (Morrissey) Mackey she is preceded in death by her mother 1934, brothers Robert 1936 and Ronald 1941, and father 1975. On May 8, 1948 she married the love of her life and soulmate Salvatore G. (Sam) Cassato and remained happily together until his death May 21, 2013. They raised seven children, Mary Ellen Conway (Bob Haider), Bob (Cathy), Ginny (Jeff Rogers), Skip (Nancy), Bill (Allison), Jim, and Margaret Lamason. She is survived by her brothers, Austin (the late Karen and Michael Ann) Mackey and Michael (Mary) Mackey, 21 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, three of whom are named Mackey. Also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved her. Raised mostly in her teenage years by her father in River Forest, IL, they formed a powerful, everlasting relationship. Four years after her mother died, her father married Dorothy Gibbons, and she was thrilled to welcome two more brothers into her life, Austin and Michael. She attended Sinsinawa Dominican "The Mound" boarding school in Wisconsin where she was elected president of her class. She finished senior year at Trinity High School in River Forest then went to work at The Federal Reserve Bank on LaSalle St. She never gave up her lifetime passion for playing piano, and was a voracious reader. Not much written about Winston Churchill or United States history escaped her curious mind. She held vivid memories listening to the radio with her father on December 7, 1941 after which, she would tell with a smile, her Dad discarded any household items not made in America.On Navy Day, October 27, 1946 she secretly became engaged to Sam Cassato and was formally engaged the following spring. Their wedding on a cloudy and damp spring day was a small affair attended mostly by family and close friends, but for the next 65 years every day was filled with sunshine...theirs was a true American love story. Her favorite holiday was July Fourth which she insisted on calling Independence Day. She loved spending time with her family and delighted in preparing Sunday evening dinners excelling in homemade Italian food, with an extra place at the table always ready for a drop-in guest. No one ever left her home hungry. She and Sam loved to travel and were fortunate to visit the homelands of their ancestors in Italy and Ireland. Visitation Saturday, June 5, 2021 12:30 p.m. until time of Memorial Mass 1:30 p. at Saints Faith Hope, and Charity Church, 191 Linden Street, Winnetka, IL 60093. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Carmelite Monastery, 949 North River Road, DesPlaines, IL 60016 or Sister Paulanne's Needy Family Fund in care of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 1775 Grove Street, Glenview, IL 60025. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847) 675-1990.