Marilynn Morrissey Sparacino died Tuesday, February 10, 2026 in Vero Beach, FL after suffering a stroke in her home.
Marilynn was born in Chicago to John and Anne (nee Wade) Morrissey and grew up in River Forest. She attended St. Luke’s School and Trinity High School. Marilynn earned her undergraduate degree in history at St Mary’s College of Notre Dame. She later attended Stanford University, where she received a master’s degree in history.
Marilynn was a remarkable woman whose academic and professional achievements included teaching history at Marquette University in Milwaukee, then returning to medical school at what is now Stritch School of Medicine of Loyola University Chicago. Marilynn completed her training at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where she remained and practiced gastroenterology for many years. Her work earned her several academic honors and awards.
In 1981, she married Julius Sparacino. The couple lived in Elmhurst where Marilynn became a loving stepmother to Thomas (Robin) and James (Avis) Sparacino and Julie (Nic) Gihl. She was especially happy to be a grandmother of eight: Christian (Katie) Sparacino; Peter and Julius Sparacino; Isabella Sparacino (Nicholas) Rasimus – expecting a baby who would have been Marilynn’s great-granddaughter; Calie Gihl (Jack) Hoban; Emma and Lillie Gihl; and Jackson (Olivia) Gihl. Marilynn recently became the great-grandmother of Luca Hoban and was looking forward to the arrival of a great-granddaughter from the Rasimus family. In recent years, Marilynn and Julius split their time between OakBrook and the John’s Island Club in Vero Beach. Marilynn was an avid traveler throughout her life, studying and skiing in Austria during college with her sister Barbara. She travelled the world with her mother, then with Julio, and shared her love of traveling with her children and grandchildren. She remained an enthusiastic and accomplished athlete throughout her life, starting as an equestrian as a child, playing tennis and golf, and skiing, and hiking. She was also a devoted bridge player, playing in multiple leagues until her death. In addition to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandson, survivors include siblings Suzanne Gaumond, John (Kathleen) Morrissey, Barbara Kelly (the late John) and Carol (John) Showel and sister-in-law Jane Dowd Morrissey (the late Walter), preceded in death by her sister Rose Ellen Morrissey CSC, and sister in-law Aimee Morrissey, nee McCarron.
Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, February 17th at Ascension of Our Lord Church, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Interment Private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marilynn’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements by Sullivan Funeral Home, Hinsdale. 630-323-0275 or www.sullivanfuneralhomehinsdale.com. Sullivan Family Funeral Homes.