Marie Teresa Filipski

Marie Hannon Filipski

Selfless, faithful, loving, kind and resilient ... the world is less bright as Marie Hannon Filipski, of Sandwich, Illinois, passed away on January 29, 2026, at the amazing milestone age of 100.

Marie was born December 13, 1925, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Augusta (Gussie) and John Hannon. The youngest of four children, she grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, during the Great Depression.

As a child, some of her fondest memories were with her beloved dog, Jip, who she frequently dressed in doll clothes and pushed around in a baby buggy; reading all of the Nancy Drew mystery books; and clothes shopping with her sister, Peg. Her favorite childhood memory was the quality time she spent accompanying her father on weekends to check on his foundry.

Though she had aspirations of attending college, life threw a curve ball and she ended up working for the U.S. Treasury Department and, later, Hines Hospital during World War II. It is there where she met her future husband, Leonard, over ping pong games played in the hospital lunchroom (which she won!) Three months after their first official date they were engaged and then married six months later. The love they shared over 71 years would include a legacy of seven children, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

After three decades of raising children, retirement brought time to explore hobbies such as crafting, reading, puzzles and walking. One of Marie's mottos was "if you don't use it, you lose it" and she practiced what she preached. Her daily exercise habit was one of her secrets to longevity. She loved horses and dogs and, in her later years, she enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and squirrels in her backyard. She also loved spending time with her family and hearing familiar voices.

Without exaggeration, to know Marie was to love her. She was the nicest, kindest, most patient person you would be privileged to meet. Guided by her strong faith in God and a servant's heart, she was always able to find the best in everyone and always the positives in a negative situation. She understood that you can only control the controllables. She frequently would say "it is what it is" and "don't sweat the small stuff" no matter what life threw her way. That outlook led her to be extremely resilient. One cannot live through a century of love and heartache; trials and tribulations; joy and celebrations; surviving the Great Depression, World War II (and Leonard !); raise seven children and NOT be resilient!

But above all, Marie was rich in life - to love and be loved by so many people and her beautiful family. She will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings John, Peg, and Ed; her husband, Leonard; two sons, Stephen and Joseph; and her beloved dogs, Jip and Higgins.

She is survived by her children Michael (Lurene) Filipski; Barbara (Jim) Gardine; Gary Filipski; David (Denise) Filipski; Diane (Ron) Vermilye; her daughters-in-law Linda Filipski and Tina Filipski; and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, from 4:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home, 13160 W. Route 34, Somonauk, Illinois. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, February 7, at 11:00a.m. at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 340 W. Arnold Street, Sandwich, Illinois. Burial will be private at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org). For more information, or to sign the online guest book, please go to www.eighnerfuneralhomes.com

Turner-Eighner Funeral Home

13160 W. Rt 34~PO BOX 404

Somonauk, IL 60552

(815) 498-2363