Marilyn Jane Burich
January 13, 1931 — July 11, 2015
Marilyn Jane Burich (nee Grein)
Strengthened by love and prayers, Marilyn left this world on July 11, 2015.
The eldest of six children, Marilyn was born in Joliet on January 13, 1931 to Hazel and Raymond Grein. She attended St. Patrick's for elementary school and graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1948. Marilyn chose to forego college so that she could help her family financially. She worked at her father's grocery store and Republican Printing.
As a young woman, Marilyn was an active member of the Catholic Social Club, where she often shared her piano talents. It was there that she met her future husband, William Burich, to whom she was married for 46 years until his death in 2003. Bill proposed to her at St. Mary Nativity, a place that would become an integral part of her life. Among other things, she was a tireless worker for the Mothers' Club and a stalwart volunteer at Friday-night bingo.
In short order, Marilyn gave birth to seven children. Once they were in school, she returned to the world of outside work. During the day she was a bookkeeper for the University of St. Francis. At night she impressively managed a busy household, always putting her family's needs above her own. In her final three years, Marilyn lived at Our Lady of Angels, where she enjoyed helping with activities and attending daily Mass.
Marilyn will be remembered as a generous, stoic, can-do woman who sent greeting cards for every occasion, felt a deep connection to the Prayer of St. Francis, and had a special fondness for parades and fireworks.
In addition to her husband and parents, Marilyn is preceded in death by her youngest child, Joseph, and three brothers, Raymond, Joseph, and Richard.
Marilyn is survived by six children and their spouses: William (Angel) of Joliet; Maureen Van Moffaert (Glenn) of Roxbury, CT; Karen Levin (Bruce) of Des Plaines; Peggy Smith (Tim) of Carpinteria, CA; Larry (Sue) of Morris; and Daniel (Kelly) of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by: two siblings, Lawrence Grein of Indianapolis, IN and Sharron Zelinski of Joliet; one sister-in-law, Shirley Grein of Beverly, MA; many nieces and nephews; several godchildren; and numerous longtime friends.
Marilyn will continue to live on through her twelve grandchildren, as well: Justin Mayle; Glenn and Dave Van Moffaert; Sarah and Becky Levin; Dean and Kate Smith; Sam, Ted, and Emily Burich; and Jack and Jayne Burich.
Donations in Marilyn's name to Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Ave, Joliet, IL 60435 would be appreciated.
A celebration of Marilyn's life will begin on Friday, July 17, 2015 with a visitation at Our Lady of Angels from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass to be held at 10 a.m. in the Our Lady of Angels Chapel. Interment to follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery in Crest Hill. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 4-9 p.m.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tezak Funeral Home
1211 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435
Friday, July 17, 2015
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Our Lady of Angels
1201 Wyoming Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
Friday, July 17, 2015
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Our Lady of Angels
1201 Wyoming Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
Friday, July 17, 2015
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
St. MAry Nativity Cemetery
Caton Farm Road
Crest Hill, IL 60403
Corner of Caton Farm Road and Oakland Avenue