Marilyn Joan Carino

Marilyn Joan Carino (Schlaffer), 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning Sunday, December 14, 2025, leaving behind a life richly lived and deeply loved. Born and raised in Chicago, Marilyn was known for her quirky sense of humor, her love of coffee and licorice, and her signature tortoise shell eyeglasses. An avid reader, she found joy browsing the shelves of Barnes & Noble, always eager to discover her next favorite book. After the loss of her husband in 1987, Marilyn demonstrated extraordinary resilience and determination by graduating from nursing school and embarking on a meaningful career as an RN at Ascension Alexian Brothers. A lifelong learner and adventurer, Marilyn embraced the world with curiosity, traveling throughout Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Egypt, and Austrailia and delighting in new cultures and experiences. Retirement never slowed Marilyn down. She remained remarkably active, faithfully attending daily workouts at local health clubs. Her dedication to fitness even led to a memorable appearance in a workout video – a moment that continues to bring smiles to those who knew her. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family and particularly her grandchildren, hosting them during the summers at her home in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and creating memories during trips to places like Long Grove, Great America, Santa’s Village, and even on a Caribbean cruise. In 2021, Marilyn moved from the Chicago area to Atlanta to be closer to her older daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchild. Though medical maladies began to trouble her nearly immediately, a stroke and an RA diagnosis in ’22, she remained as stubbornly independent as possible till this past summer. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, Louis and Theresa Schlaffer; and her sister, Delores Schauer. She is survived by her daughters, Gloria Bartley (Chris) and Suzanne Ulrich (Tim); her grandchildren, Daniel Rycraft (Sarah) and Trina Lorenz; and her great-granddaughter, Merit (Rycraft), nephew Paul Schauer and niece Debra Lesniak (Schauer). Marilyn was a force to be reckoned with; loyal, unwaveringly supportive, and always ready to fight life’s battles alongside those she loved. The world will be a little colder, a little less bright, and a lot less interesting without her. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of cards or gifts, please contribute to American Cancer Society or child literacy programs in her name. May Marilyn’s life and legacy bring comfort, smiles, and fond memories to all who knew and loved her.

Marilyn Joan Carino

October 16, 1938 - December 14, 2025