Mary Elizabeth "Marybeth" Webster, 67, died peacefully at Park Ridge Care Center in Park Ridge, Nov. 17, 2023.
Marybeth was born in 1956 in Hinsdale. To know Marybeth was to love her. She wore her heart on her sleeve, was always cheerful and loved being around her family and friends more than anything else. She was loved by anyone who met her and continued to surprise her family, friends and doctors with her length of life despite her various illnesses and disabilities.
Marybeth was born with Down Syndrome and had an active lifestyle until a few years ago, when she was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She worked at Helping Hand Centers in Countryside and lived in one of their rehabilitation homes for several decades. When she was younger, she participated in the Illinois Special Olympics for track events and participated in Helping Hand's bowling and basketball events.
Growing up in Hinsdale, she was a member of the Farm Club in Burr Ridge (now the Hanson Center) that her parents Jack and Dort Webster co-founded for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She loved riding the horses and she and the other students learned how to take care of the animals (including horses, goats and chickens) as well as participated in other recreational and educational programs at the club.
Marybeth was preceded in death by her sister, Susan Brown Tone; her parents, Dorothy and John "Jack" Webster; and her brother, Harry "Hank" Brown.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Carol (Cutler) Brown; her sister, Julie (Jim Campbell) Webster; her brother-in-law, John Tone; her nieces, Tracy (Barry) Tone Hutchison and Catherine Tone; her nephew, Geoff (Lori) Brown; and four great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins all around the world.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Park Ridge Care Center, 665 Busse Highway, Park Ridge. A private interment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Association for Down Syndrome online at 222.nads.org or Park Ridge Care Center, 665 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
