Marilyn E. Bury

Marilyn (Ellis) Bury, a loving, resilient and patient spirit, passed away Nov. 25, 2024, at the age of 96. The daughter of the late Harold and Pauline (Weaver) Ellis, Marilyn grew up in the Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago, where she made lifelong friends and graduated from Taft High School.  She loved her brothers, Bob and Bill, now deceased, who served their country as soldiers in the U.S. Army during World War Two.

Marilyn attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where she fell in love with Charles "Chuck" Bury, who hailed from Chicago's Roseland neighborhood.  In 1950, the North and South siders were joined in marriage.

Marilyn and Chuck began their married life in Chicago, first in Hyde Park and then in South Shore, before moving to Park Forest, Illinois. After Chuck's death in 2012, Marilyn lived in Flossmoor, Illinois.

After raising her two children, Marilyn returned to college and graduated with a degree in education from Governors State University. She taught reading and English at Washington Junior High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois where she made good use of her infinite patience and made more lifelong friends.

Marilyn was an avid bridge player and golfer who enjoyed the camaraderie of the games above all.  She loved music, particularly the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan along with American folk tunes.  Marilyn loved attending plays, too, and season tickets to the Goodman Theatre were among her few guilty pleasures.

Marilyn took her citizenship seriously as an active member of the League of Women Voters and remained intensely engaged in civic and political matters her entire life. She never missed an opportunity to vote.

Marilyn was a loving and devoted mother to her children, Chris Bury and Carolyn Bury. She was a treasured mother-in-law to their spouses, Catherine (Catalane) Bury and Charles "Chip" O'Leary.

Marilyn is also survived by four loving grandchildren: Jack Bury; Charlie Bury; River O'Leary; and Aidan O'Leary.

Her nephews and nieces enjoyed a special place in her heart: John Ellis; the late Tom Ellis; Cindy (Ellis) Pagliuzza; Kate (Ellis) Gunderson; Jesse (Ewald) Elkins; Guy Ewald; and Erik Ewald.

The family would like to acknowledge the outstanding service of Marilyn's longtime caregiver and friend, Marilou Operana.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced in 2025.

For additional information, please contact tews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300