Marilyn Marie Cummins

1938 - 2025

Marilyn Marie Cummins
Born: November 21, 1938 in Chicago, IL
Died: July 6, 2025 in Sierra Madre, CA
Marilyn Marie Cummins, a devoted mother, grandmother, nurse, and faithful servant of God, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Sierra Madre, California, surrounded by her three loving children. She was 86 years old.
Born November 21, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, to Otto and Margaret Martin, Marilyn was raised with strong values of faith, resilience, and determination, which were qualities she carried throughout her life. From ages 9 through 17, she spent her summers on the Wisconsin farm of her cousin Audrey and Audrey's husband, Leroy Cisar. Those summers not only shaped her work ethic and sense of independence but also gave her some of her most treasured memories with Audrey and the entire Cisar family.
Marilyn pursued her dream of nursing guided by her mother's words, "If you're going to be a nurse, be a good one, or don't be one at all." She graduated from Augustana Hospital School of Nursing in 1960, becoming the first in her family to earn a graduate-level degree. Her career was one of service and compassion, beginning at the VA Hospital in Chicago and continuing at Delnor Hospital in St. Charles and with DuPage County as a Senior Case Worker. She later worked with Delnor Home Health and, after retirement, returned to study and train as a Parish Nurse, serving her community at St. Mark's in St. Charles, Illinois.
On September 11, 1965, Marilyn married Robert Cummins, who preceded her in death. She is lovingly remembered by their three children: Heidi (Mike) Semenek, Melissa (Robert) Lorenz, and Peter (Selena) Cummins. One of her greatest joys was being a grandmother to six grandchildren -Kyle Meyer, Jack and Rory Lorenz, and Scott, Amanda, and Rachel Semenek, and a great-grandmother to one. She also leaves behind many dear nieces and nephews.
She enjoyed traveling, treasured her career in service to others, and in 2023 moved to an assisted living home in Southern California, where she quickly became a beloved member of The British Home -playing cards, working puzzles, exercising, dining, and sharing lively conversations with both residents and staff.
Marilyn was a devoted member of St. Mark's parish for more than 50 years and lived her beliefs by example, showing her children and grandchildren the values she cherished most -charity, truth, and a steadfast trust in God. Even through illness, she never allowed her condition to define her. Her strength, devotion, and love left a profound imprint on all who knew her.
Marilyn's absence will be deeply felt, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her. May her memory be eternal.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her brothers, Ronnie and Otto; her sister Diane; and her parents.
A visitation will be held Friday, October 10, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 101 S. 6th Ave., St. Charles, at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Doctors Without Borders, The Myositis Association, or Lutheran Hour Ministries.