Obituary of Marylu Pellegrino Brown

Marylu Pellegrino Brown, our cherished aunt, departed this life on November 12, 2021, after filling it to the brim with her ever-present good cheer, optimism, and adventurous spirit for 96 and a half years. She loved her family unconditionally. She was a devoted and loving daughter to her parents Josephine and James. The strongest bonds of her life were with her late siblings, Carmella, Louise, and Robert. She was a constant and caring aunt to her nieces and nephews, ready without fail with a helping hand, always cheerful and encouraging, sharing our good times and helping us through our hardships. Though born in Kenosha Wisconsin, her family resettled in Blue Island where she lived for most of her life and even reigned for a year as Miss Blue Island. She worked from a very young age until late in life and was a devoted caregiver to several loved ones. She was a person of great style, with a ready laugh and a constant curiosity to learn new things. She loved late nights, long conversations, professional sports, bridge, crossword puzzles, racing, and the stock market. She kept a beautiful house, where she hosted countless gatherings for family and friends with matchless flare. Even just a drink (preferably a Manhattan) with Marylu was an occasion. With her late partner, James G. Brown, she enjoyed many exciting years of traveling the world. Her generosity of spirit drew people to her. Without exception, she treated everyone with dignity and kindness. She was rich with friends and people who loved her in return. She extended the fullness of her love to her great nieces and nephews. The babies, her great-great nieces and nephews brought her great joy in her later years. She loved her many, many cousins, co-workers, and friends from all periods of her life, her neighbors, her handyman, her caretakers, and the list goes on and on. Marylu was strong in her Catholic faith. It provided her sustenance and comfort. And she lived a good life. As we celebrate her life, we offer this prayer: Into your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our Aunt Marylu. In this life you embraced her with your tender love; deliver her now from every evil and bid her eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome her into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, June 4 at St. Donatus Church, 1939 Union St, Blue Island, IL 60406. Interment of ashes will be private.