Marilyn H. Pecoraro

Marilyn H. Pecoraro, age 86, a longtime resident of Plainfield, IL, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024 at Lightways Hospice Home, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on February 10, 1938 in Chicago, IL.
Marilyn is survived by her beloved husband of 67 years, Frank M. Pecoraro; her loving children, James (Sharon Murphy) Pecoraro, Kathleen Burton, Thomas (Katie) Pecoraro, Matthew (Christina) Pecoraro and Laureen (Andreas) Papakostas; her cherished grandchildren, Michael Pecoraro, Richard Pecoraro, Christopher Palmisano, Jennifer (Steven) Joho, Sabrina (Christopher) Colsant, Nicole (Peter) Evanoff, Keoki (Sara) Burton, Mailani (fiancé James) Burton, Nikoloa (Julie) Burton, Kimo Burton, George Pecoraro, Michelle (Justin) Linhart, Rachel (Matthew) Las, Henry Pecoraro, Zachary Pecoraro, Dominick Pecoraro, Nicholas Pecoraro, Kaitlyn Pecoraro, Mateo Papakostas, Marcos Papakostas, and Malina Papakostas; her adored great-grandchildren, Gavin, Janet, Austin, Nolan, Peter, Grace, Kirra, Noa, Deacon, Liliana, Sophia, Annunziato, Olivia, and Nora.
She was preceded in death by her loving daughter, Janet (Enrico) Palmisano.
Born in 1938, Marilyn was the only child of Henry and Hildegard Ewald growing up in the northwest Chicago neighborhood of Jefferson Park. She attended St. Robert Bellarmine Grammar School where she met her future husband, Frank. After graduation from high school, Frank entered the military, serving in Hawaii, while Marilyn, 3 years younger, finished studies at Notre Dame High School. After his discharge from the Army, Frank returned to Chicago, where Marilyn and he were married. They started simple, renting an attic apartment and starting a family. After a few years, they purchased a house only blocks from their parents. They were very active at St. Robert's Church chairing many fundraising activities over the years. They had six children but in fact, became parental figures to many more of their children's friends. The Pecoraro house was always alive with pool parties, basement dance parties and the like. Though, at times, Marilyn would say no to more parties, when people started showing up anyhow, Marilyn would eventually give in, often coming down to say hi to everyone. Marilyn and Frank made many family trips to Hawaii, but even these would allow for friends of the children to come along. In the early 1990's Marilyn and Frank left Chicago's Northwest side for Plainfield. They custom built their dream house and hosted many years of holiday parties and family reunions. Marilyn and Frank would make yearly trips to Hawaii to meet with a regular group of friends there and on their 50th Wedding Anniversary, they hosted their entire family to Hawaii to renew their wedding vows. When Frank became involved with the local American Legion Chapter, rising to Post Commander, Marilyn was right by his side in the Women's Auxiliary. Both spent countless hours devoted to their new legion home. As time progressed, they decided to downscale. They sold their dream house and moved into a beautiful home in the Carillon Retirement community. Marilyn and Frank have spent many happy years at Carillon. Near the end of her life, Marilyn struggled with illness, but she never let it get her down. Until the end she fought to manage the illness and continued to make time for her family as a continued top priority. Marilyn set a wonderful example for a holy and blessed life of service to others. Now our Lord has taken her up unto himself as those who knew her look on with concern and sadness, but we have been told, and we believe we will see her again in the resurrection of our Lord on the last day.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Pecoraro Family via this link.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 21, 2:00 until 6:00 PM at the Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, corner of Routes 30 & 59, Plainfield. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 22, 10:30 AM at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 15629 S. Route 59, Plainfield. Future inurnment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.