Lake Forest Obituary: Marilyn Alaimo

The following obituary is courtesy of Wenban Funeral Home.

Marilyn Kearns Alaimo passed away peacefully December 26, 2014, at her home in Lake Forest, IL. She was born March 5, 1931 in Champaign, IL to Edward J. and Mae Tendering Kearns.

Marilyn graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS in psychology and sociology in 1953. She was a Member of the Illini Union Board and the Tri Delta Sorority where she was President. In 1954, she earned a graduate degree at the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration. From 1954-1958, she worked for the Northern Trust Company, in the trust department, as one of this nation’s first female bond traders. In later years, she earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Horticulture and became a Landscape Designer for public, commercial, and residential properties.

She was the Editor and a co-author of Stewards of the Land: A Survey of Landscape Architecture and Design in America, a feature writer of Garden Talk, the Chicago Botanic Garden magazine, The National Gardener, and Editor of Garden Glories, the magazine of the Garden Clubs of Illinois. Marilyn was a Master Flower Show Judge and State President of the Garden Clubs of Illinois (1987-1989).

Marilyn devoted many years as a volunteer in numerous capacities. She was a Red Cross Grey Lady at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago in the late 1950s. She served as a Board Member and Book Sale Chair of the Friends of the Lake Forest Library, Board Member and Chairperson of the Lake Forest Cemetery Commission (1992-2000) and Commissioner and Grounds Chair for the Gorton Community Center. She served as President of the Garden Clubs of Illinois and was a longtime member and a President of the Ravinia Garden Club. In addition, Marilyn was a volunteer at the Chicago Botanic Garden for 40 years as a tour guide, educator and fund raiser. Marilyn was a longtime member of St. Patrick Church in Lake Forest, IL.

Marilyn is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Joseph Alaimo, her three children Laura Alaimo, John (Claire) Alaimo and Katherine (William) Andersen all of Lake Forest, IL and treasured grandchildren Christopher M., Peter, John, Jennifer, Christopher J., Christine, Elizabeth and William. She is also survived by her brother, Robert E. Kearns of Carmel, IN, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother James D. Kearns.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Avenue, Lake Forest, IL. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, December 31 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 950 W. Everett Road, Lake Forest, IL. Info – www.wenbanfh.com or 847-234-0022.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, 660 North Westmoreland Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045.