Marilynn Joan Foley

Marilynn Joan Foley, 90, passed away peacefully in Nokomis, Fla., on January 10, 2026. Born in Chicago on Feb. 3, 1935, she lived a life full of love and adventure, raising seven children and taking great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was married for 57 years to her husband John P. Foley II, who died on February 5, 2013. She will be laid to rest alongside John at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, Fla.

Marilynn Keil grew up in Chicago, one of five children born to Lillian (O'Donnell) and Sylvestor Keil, who met when they both worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Co. It was in these early days of her Midwest upbringing that Marilynn's strong sense of family and faith were formed. Her close brother Alan Keil resides in New Athens, Ill. Their siblings, Richard Keil, Charles "Chip" Keil, and Partricia Keil, are predeceased.

Marilynn and John met as students at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. During summer break, John would hitchhike from Milwaukee to Chicago to see her. In 1955, she took a pause from college to get married and raise a fast-growing family in northern Illinois. First born was Theresa, followed by six boys: John, Paul, James, Matthew, Ben, and Robert.

There was never a dull moment in the Foley household, as the kids attended St. Patrick's School in Joliet, rode bikes through the neighborhood, and took swim lessons at the YMCA. Marilynn cooked daily for the family of nine - casseroles, spaghetti, corn on the cob, and "hamburger steaks." One of her specialties was homemade lasagna made with hand-rolled pasta. Summers were spent fishing, canoeing, and taking camping trips across the U.S. and Canada. Along the way, they visited Yellowstone, Banff, the Badlands, Vancouver Island, the Bay of Fundy, and countless state parks.

Once the kids were grown, Marilynn and John relocated to New Mexico and then to the Gulf Coast of Florida, where they enjoyed the balmy weather and life near the beach. They were enthusiastic patrons of the arts, attending plays, concerts, and museums in Venice and Sarasota. Marilynn was a self-taught pianist and several of her children inherited her talent for music. She supported many non-profits, including Moat Marine Aquarium and Venice Cat Coalition. She especially enjoyed ocean and river cruises and strolling through botanical gardens.

Notably, Marilynn also had an accomplished professional career. With the kids in grade school, she returned to college and earned a B.A. in Economics from Rosary College. Then, working as a librarian, she attained a graduate degree in Library Science from St. Francis College. Not done yet, she got an M.B.A. from Governors State University, which led to management roles in the pharmaceuticals industry and at Los Alamos National Laboratory. It's a testament to her perseverance that Marilynn earned three college degrees even as she raised seven children in a bustling home.

Among her widespread family and many friends, Marilynn will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and resiliency. A breast cancer survivor, she volunteered to help others. She had a deep-rooted faith in God, which guided her and provided strength throughout her life. Marilynn was a force for good in the world, and her family will continue to live by her example with her loving spirit always in our hearts.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the Venice Cat Coalition, a grassroots non-profit that has rescued and found homes for hundreds of felines throughout Sarasota County.