MARILYN CROSBY WANG

Marilyn Crosby Wang, age 85, died on January 11, 2018, in Niles, Illinois, after a long illness. Marilyn was born in Buffalo, New York, on July 21, 1932, to the late Rita McMann Crosby and the late Veness Crosby. She grew up in her maternal grandparents’ house, the home of Arthur and Dorothy McMann, until her parents moved to Springfield, Missouri, with her and her siblings.

During college, Marilyn won a Midwest intercollegiate debate championship. She earned her Bachelors degree in Education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1960. She became a classroom teacher of English, Speech, and Drama in elementary and high schools. She integrated Storytelling, Puppetry and Creative Dramatics into her teaching, and lectured at the graduate level on those topics.

Marilyn was a lifelong learner and educator. She undertook many graduate studies and earned three Masters Degrees: one from Northwestern University in Interdepartmental Speech (1975), and two from Loyola University of Chicago: one in Pastoral Studies (1989) and another in Religious Education (2000).

Marilyn was very active in lay missionary work. In 1960, she worked with foreign university students at Crossroads Student Center in Hyde Park, where she met a graduate engineering student from China, whom she would marry and with whom she would raise a family.

Marilyn was a teacher of English as a Second Language, teaching recent immigrants, whom she embraced into the community with kindness and warmth.

Many of Marilyn’s accomplishments were based on her deep faith; Ignatian Spirituality played a significant role in her life. She enjoyed attending religious retreats and reflecting on God’s will.

She was a Director of Religious Education at multiple Chicago-area Catholic parishes, where she helped thousands of children learn about the Catholic faith and receive their sacraments.

She was an active community member in Skokie, where she lived for nearly 40 years. She participated in the organization of the Skokie Historical Society and served as its first elected secretary. A gifted organizer and writer, Marilyn directed and edited two Skokie Poetry Projects, one in 1977-78 and another in 1982-83, culminating in the publication of two books of children’s poetry.

Marilyn’s late husband, George L. C. Wang, was laid to rest in 2008. Marilyn is survived by one sister, three children, five grandchildren, other relatives, and many loving friends.

The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for her during her last illness.

Private services were held on January 13, 2018.

Gifts in her memory may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 800, Chicago, IL, 60631.