A life well lived and a woman well loved.
June 19, 2021
Marilyn Hollingsworth Zollner, 85 passed away on June 12, 2021, at her home in Richmond, Texas.
She was born in Rose Hill, Iowa to Hazel (Garrett) and Harry Hollingsworth on October 22, 1935.
Marilyn led a fully and active life.
She obtained a nursing degree from Wheaton University in 1956 and moved to Joliet, Illinois, where she lived for over 50 years. She served as a hospital nurse at St. Joseph Hospital; she later worked as a surgical nurse at Forkosh Hospital in Chicago, and she was a Will County Health nurse.
In 1968, Marilyn married the love of her life, Max E. Zollner and together they built a family which included their sons David and Paul.
Marilyn was an outstanding bridge player, an avid gardener, quilter and masters swimmer. She served as President of the Joliet YMCA JETS Swim team. She also performed in 9 Joliet Kiwanis Shows.
She was active in competitive tennis; owning and operating the Joliet Tennis Club where she also provided tennis lessons. Marilyn coached the Women’s Tennis Team at the University of St. Francis.
In 1988 she welcomed her first grandchild, Kayla Marie.
In 1992 Marilyn opened and operated David’s Pasta and later in 1995 she opened her second restaurant, Mia Figliai.
She was a long-standing member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
The 2000’s, brought a mix of joy and sorrow. In 2001, Marilyn and Max lost their eldest son David.
In 2005, their younger son Paul welcomed the birth of twin boys, Max William, and Jack David. In 2008, their second granddaughter Phoebe Grace was born.
The 2010’s, brought more adventures with the birth of three great grandchildren, Cheyanne, Claire and Carson.
In 2014, Marilyn and Max moved to Richmond, Texas where they enjoyed their active, golden years.
Marilyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Max, her son Paul (Gayle), grandchildren Kayla (David) Gil, Jack Zollner, Max Zollner, and Phoebe Zollner, great grandchildren Cheyanne Chaddick, Claire Gil, Carson Gil, her sister Evelyn at Steddom and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son David, and nine of her ten brothers and sisters.
Marilyn always had a winning smile for everybody. She is and will be missed.
Her cremains will be interred Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Joliet, Illinois
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at Blackburn-Giegrich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1600 Black Road, Joliet, Illinois, with a visitation starting at 10 AM followed by a memorial service at 11 AM officiated by Reverend Matthew Robinson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Joliet YMCA, the University of St. Francis, or a charity of your choice.
She was born in Rose Hill, Iowa to Hazel (Garrett) and Harry Hollingsworth on October 22, 1935.
Marilyn led a fully and active life.
She obtained a nursing degree from Wheaton University in 1956 and moved to Joliet, Illinois, where she lived for over 50 years. She served as a hospital nurse at St. Joseph Hospital; she later worked as a surgical nurse at Forkosh Hospital in Chicago, and she was a Will County Health nurse.
In 1968, Marilyn married the love of her life, Max E. Zollner and together they built a family which included their sons David and Paul.
Marilyn was an outstanding bridge player, an avid gardener, quilter and masters swimmer. She served as President of the Joliet YMCA JETS Swim team. She also performed in 9 Joliet Kiwanis Shows.
She was active in competitive tennis; owning and operating the Joliet Tennis Club where she also provided tennis lessons. Marilyn coached the Women’s Tennis Team at the University of St. Francis.
In 1988 she welcomed her first grandchild, Kayla Marie.
In 1992 Marilyn opened and operated David’s Pasta and later in 1995 she opened her second restaurant, Mia Figliai.
She was a long-standing member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
The 2000’s, brought a mix of joy and sorrow. In 2001, Marilyn and Max lost their eldest son David.
In 2005, their younger son Paul welcomed the birth of twin boys, Max William, and Jack David. In 2008, their second granddaughter Phoebe Grace was born.
The 2010’s, brought more adventures with the birth of three great grandchildren, Cheyanne, Claire and Carson.
In 2014, Marilyn and Max moved to Richmond, Texas where they enjoyed their active, golden years.
Marilyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Max, her son Paul (Gayle), grandchildren Kayla (David) Gil, Jack Zollner, Max Zollner, and Phoebe Zollner, great grandchildren Cheyanne Chaddick, Claire Gil, Carson Gil, her sister Evelyn at Steddom and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son David, and nine of her ten brothers and sisters.
Marilyn always had a winning smile for everybody. She is and will be missed.
Her cremains will be interred Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Joliet, Illinois
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at Blackburn-Giegrich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1600 Black Road, Joliet, Illinois, with a visitation starting at 10 AM followed by a memorial service at 11 AM officiated by Reverend Matthew Robinson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Joliet YMCA, the University of St. Francis, or a charity of your choice.