Judith B. Mariani

Judy Mariani was born during the Great Depression on February 16, 1937, to her beloved mother, Emily Mockenhaupt Butler. Growing up in St. Gertrude Parish in Rogers Park with her three brothers, TJ, Bill, and Rob, Judy was a Chicago native who loved the Cubs, Lake Michigan, and Dorothy Day.

Judy applied brightness to her academic studies between the post-war years and the feminist movement, attending Dunbarton College in Washington, DC, under a full scholarship. In 1959, she married Justin Joseph Mariani, who was, in her own words, “the only man I ever loved.” Between 1960 and 1966, they had six children: Monica, Barbara, Matt, Justine, Eric and Kristin.

After her husband succumbed to mental illness, Judy raised their six children in the Detroit suburbs. As a single mother she worked as a real estate agent, a fashion model, and a caregiver to the elderly. She moved back to Chicago in 1986, after her children were grown, and worked as an assistant underwriter for Cigna and in sales for Chacok on Oak Street.

Leading a simple, contemplative life, she meditated daily with loving focus on, and constant prayer for, her six children, their partners, and her 17 grandchildren. Her ever-expanding family meant the world to her, and included: Monica Kroll and her husband, Joe Kroll, with their children, Minnie and Sally; Barbara Mariani and her husband, Richard Fields, with her children, Christopher, Charlie, and Caroline; Matt Mariani and his wife, Jill Stamison, with his children, Olivia and Sophie, and Jill’s children, Liv and David; Justine Schearer and her beloved, departed husband, Tim Schearer, with their children, Timothy, Emily, and Mathew; Eric Mariani and his wife, Polly Mariani, with their children, Madeline, Ava and Ben; Kristin Mariani and her children, Helen and Sarah Frieman. Judy is survived by these descendants, along with her brother, Robert Butler.

Judy was physically active to the end of her life, embodying presence and balance by walking daily, and practicing both pilates and tai chi. Judy met life’s challenges with adaptation in her steadfast faith, balanced patience, grace, and a forgiving heart. Her voice resonated with those who surrounded her. Distinguished by the depth of her eyes and disarming smile, she was a friend to all strangers, and had a gift for making whomever was in front of her feel special. She taught her children and grandchildren how to pray and encouraged their individual spirits as they moved through the world. Her jubilance and radiance drew admiration and inspired positive action to shape life’s challenges.

From 2000 to 2010, Judy devoted herself to the care of her elderly mother, Emily, living in the Edgewater Beach Apartments. She was a fan of Jane Austen, The Office, Maxwell House Coffee with Cremora, hamburgers, and Honey Maid Graham Crackers.

Judy died at age 85 on November 6, 2022, surrounded by her loving family in the peaceful and supportive community of Little Sisters of the Poor. Her family’s gratitude for the love, care, and consideration that Little Sisters of the Poor provided is unquantifiable.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday, November 10, 2022, in the chapel of St. Mary’s Home, Chicago.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Judy’s life, please consider making a contribution to the Chicago chapter of Little Sisters of the Poor, 2325 N. Lakewood Ave., Chicago, IL, 60614  (littlesistersofthepoorchicago.org).

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Judith B. Mariani, please visit our Tribute Store.