Mary E. "Marilyn" Smith

Mary E. "Marilyn" Smith, nee Carey, age 87 of Chicago, died peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2026 at her home with her son Jack by her side.

Marilyn loved her late husband Jack and their five children Mary Jo Msall, Maureen (Ivan Gazidis), Jack, Maggie and the late Tom. She was the adoring grandmother of Lucy (Simcha Barkai), Camille and Matilda (Nico Banks) Msall, Costa and Aidan Gazidis, and Conor Smith and the delighted great-grandmother of Ori Barkai Msall.

Marilyn was the daughter of the late Thomas J. Carey and the late Josephine L. Foley. She was preceded in death by her siblings Tommy, Virginia (Dick Ferguson), Marjorie, Jack, Dorothy (Jack Calhoun) and Mike Carey and her sons in-law Laurence Msall and Kent Smith.

Marilyn is survived by her brother Jim Carey, brother in-law Bill Smith, her many Calhoun, Lehr, Carey, and Smith nieces and nephews and her dear friends and sisters-in-law Marilyn Shiel Smith and Deborah Smith.

After graduating from Immaculata High School where she was Athlete of the Year, Marilyn earned her R.N. degree at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Evanston and worked there for many years as a med-surg and ER nurse. Many of her fellow nursing classmates remained life-long friends and Marilyn always enjoyed their annual St. Francis reunions. Marilyn also enjoyed attending the annual reunions of her husband Jack's Loyola Academy class which is full of dear friends.

Marilyn later earned her Master's Degree at Loyola University of Chicago while raising five children and then taught at Loyola University where she enjoyed a great camaraderie with her colleagues. After moving to Washington DC, Marilyn taught at Georgetown University. Marilyn enjoyed the many years of teaching and mentoring her students.

Marilyn could throw a party at the drop of a hat and ran our busy household with great energy; she made everything look easy. She coached Little League, was a Cub Scouts den mother and later helped raise her grandchildren. She always enjoyed spending time with family, friends and neighbors and made our home a gathering place. She loved to laugh with her lady friends and especially loved her dearest bridge group which began with its first noisy bridge mix-fueled night at our house on March 7, 1971.

Marilyn taught her kids to be generous with their time and energy and to always "do unto others...".

Rest in peace Mom.

Visitation: Thursday, March 5, 2026 from 4 to 8 pm, at Haben Funeral Home, 8057 Niles Center Road, Skokie.

Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, March 6, at 10 am, at Holy Child Jesus Catholic Parish (Saint Margaret Mary Church), 2324 W. Chase Ave, Chicago.

Internment private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
Kids Above All https://www.kidsaboveall.org
8765 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 450
Chicago IL 60631
or
Danny Did Foundation https://dannydid.networkforgood.com
3008 Central St, Suite 203
Evanston IL 60201