Marlys June (Hahlweg) Prior

Marlys June (Hahlweg) Prior, 96, passed away peacefully at Hartwell Place in Chicago on January 10, 2026 after a long illness. Born in, and a resident of, Joliet for most of her life, Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Hahlweg and Mabel (Dunterman) Hahlweg, and her infant daughter, Barbara. Marlys was survived by her son Paul (Julie); granddaughters, Anna and Nora (Ben); and a great-granddaughter, Ardea.

Marlys was an only child but grew up deeply engaged with her extended family. She first learned about valuing community through her uncle and father's butcher shop, which supported their neighbors through the great depression and wartime resource shortages. Marlys graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1947 and attended Valparaiso University where she developed a circle of life-long friends. Following study at Northwestern's Nursing Program, she worked in downtown Chicago at a dermatologist's office that specialized in cleft palette corrective procedures. After her son, Paul, was born, Marlys returned to Joliet to have the support of her family and soon began to work for the Social Security Administration, where she interacted with the public daily for three decades. During her time at Social Security, she studied Social Work at St. Francis College in Joliet, graduating in 1974.

Throughout her life, Marlys valued learning as well as caring for family, friends, and community. She retired early to care for her mother, who was recovering from a broken hip, and she supported several close friends and family through illnesses and end-of-life care. Marlys was an active participant in her local communities–including involvement in Faith Lutheran Church, the Joliet Area Historical Museum, an investors club, and community fitness classes. Although Marlys spent most of her life in Joliet, her heart was always in Chicago. She loved taking tours with the Chicago Art Institute, going to Lincoln Park Zoo to visit the primate house, sampling restaurants, attending shows, and shopping on Michigan Avenue. Her grandchildren remember the Christmas tradition of taking the train into Chicago with Marlys to look at Marshall Fields's holiday window displays. Marlys returned to live in Chicago in 2020, moved into a condo with her granddaughter Anna, and especially enjoyed views of Lake Michigan and Belmont Harbor from their balcony. She lived her final years in a small memory care facility, Hartwell Place, where the residents and staff remember Marlys as "a gentle presence who was wise, witty, and spirited with a beautiful smile." Marlys will be remembered warmly and missed by many who knew her.

Per her request, Marlys was cremated (by Caring Cremations in Chicago) with a private ceremony. Memorial donations in Marlys's name would be appreciated to the organizations who provided superb support and care for her in her final days: Hartwell Place, 5520 N. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60640 and Suncrest Hospice at 5 Revere Drive Suite130 Northbrook, IL 60062.