Nancy D. Marks

Nancy Desmond Corrington Marks of Aurora, IL passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025 at the age of 95. She was born on June 18, 1929 in St. Louis, Missouri to Geraldine Corrington and was raised in Edwardsville, IL.
Nancy attended Edwardsville High School and Millikin University. She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, James Richard Marks, in 1950. Nancy worked for the Dean of Student Affairs at the U of I Professional Colleges while Jim attended medical school in Chicago. Nancy & Jim moved to Aurora, IL following Jim's graduation from medical school and starting his medical family practice and they raised their 3 daughters in Aurora.
While Nancy was raising a family, she was also very active in her community. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, Child Welfare Society, Aurora Jr. Women's Club, and PEO Chapter LB. Nancy was very involved with New England Congregational Church, where she was a member of the choir for 53 years and served as Chair of Deacons, Church Clerk, Organizer of Coffee Fellowship, and Personal Assistant to the Pastor.
Nancy was an avid sports fan, following her husband Jim when he played basketball for Edwardsville High School and the University of Illinois, and she remained an Illini and West Aurora High School Blackhawk fan and booster throughout her life. Nancy lived a very active life. She enjoyed summers at Westwind Swim Club, played tennis well into her 70's, worked out at Prisco Community Center or walked regularly throughout her neighborhood. When she was no longer able to walk outside, she purchased a treadmill to keep up with her exercise routine at home. At only 5'1", Nancy's larger than life personality and caring soul touched many people. She loved life, her faith, music, her Irish heritage and, most importantly, Nancy loved her family and friends. She was an only child, but had 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, who all adored her. She was always there whenever she was needed and loved all the events and traveling that involved her family and friends. After Jim's passing in 1996, she continued to follow her grandkids and great grandkids activities. She loved watching all of their sporting and competitive events and anything else they were involved in. She was her family's greatest fan!
Nancy was preceded in death by her mother, Geraldine Corrington, her husband, Dr. James Marks, and her daughter Susan Marks Kachavos.
Nancy is survived by her two daughters Ann Perkins (John) and Jane Baffes (Tom); grandchildren Brian Perkins (Rachel), Adam Perkins (Therese), Dave Perkins (Lindsay), Samantha Baffes (Alex), Joanna King (Brian), Andrea Wheeler (Doug), and Bill Baffes; great grandchildren Ethan Perkins, Lauren Perkins, Owen Perkins, Claire Perkins, Audrey Perkins, Brooks Perkins, Teddy King, Ellie King, Dottie King, Nora Wheeler, Kallie Wheeler and Nolan Wheeler.
Visitation will be on Sunday, February 9, 2025 from 11:00am – 2:00pm at The Healy Chapel, 332 West Downer Place, Aurora, IL. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at New England Congregational Church on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Spring Lake Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd, Aurora, IL.