Marilyn “Dolly” Scallon (nee Schneller), age 91, of Western Springs. Beloved wife of Charles Scallon for more than 70 wonderful years. Loving mother of the late Carol (David) Masini. Devoted grandmother of Courtney (Michael) Rolfes, Brendan (Carrie) Masini, Caitlin (Desi) Sendaydiego, and Charles (Kelly) Masini. Doting great-grandmother of Brendan Jr., Michael, Carolyn, James, Caroline, Desi Jr., and Madeleine.

Dubbed Dolly as an infant because she was “pretty as a doll”, Marilyn grew up across the street from St. Vincent DePaul, spent 30 years in St. William Parish, and spent the last 35 years in Western Springs at St. John of the Cross. She loved to tell stories of her early adventures in employment: working the switchboard at St. Vincent, a short-lived stint at the Woolworth soda fountain (that ended when she and her friend learned they would have to wash dishes as part of the job), and seeing Colonel McCormick walk through the lobby of Tribune Tower when she worked as a secretary for Katherine Roche, host of the June Baker show on WGN Radio. Most of her stories came from the lively Education Department office at Northeastern Illinois University, from which she retired.

She graduated from Immaculata High School in 1946 and met Chuck at a roller rink after he returned from WWII. He quickly chose her to be his best girl. They married at St. Vincent in 1949 and enjoyed fishing trips at their little cabin in Wisconsin. Once their daughter Carol was born, Marilyn was the always-willing Girl Scout leader, school trip chaperone, and active with the Catholic Women’s Club.

Dolly had a larger-than-life matriarchal personality: bright, generous, gregarious, opinionated. Famous for THE Chocolate Cake, intricate Jell-O molds, and a spaghetti sauce that nobody else could quite match, she cherished socializing and feeding people, always preparing enough food for an army. She enjoyed parties, big earrings, sequins, laundry, ironing, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Word Jumbles, bridge, celebrating holidays and birthdays, and chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Dolly treasured her many close friends, traveling to Las Vegas to see the crooners of the day, learning to line dance, playing the organ, crocheting, and became an accomplished ceramicist. More recently, her life had a predictable rhythm marked by Monday bridge at the Senior Center, twice-weekly exercise class, Wednesday lunches with the girls, and Friday mornings at the beauty shop.

She loved her family near and far, playing a daily role in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and coordinating the family news network amongst her many dear cousins and their families. Always walking two steps ahead of her faithful Chuck and telling him to keep up, the two recently celebrated a memorable 70th wedding anniversary party and regaled all with stories from a full, fruitful life together.

Finally, Marilyn was devoted to her church, from which she drew so much of her identity, and which served her well during the many joys and sorrows amassed over nine decades. Confident in our Lord’s promises, she now embarks on a new life, richer and more glorious than we can imagine.

Visitation 3:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, January 31, 2020 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55^th St., Countryside. Family and friends are invited to gather for 11:00 AM Mass on February 1^st, directly at St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Misericordia. For further funeral information: 708-352-6500 or HJfunerals.com