Maribeth Zickert, nee Munson, 96 of Elmhurst, a former 52-year Hinsdale resident, passed away Feb. 1, 2024.
Maribeth, daughter of Donald and Miriam Munson of Anderson, Ind., graduated from Purdue University in 1949. A member of Alpha Chi Omega, Maribeth earned her degree in teaching physical education.
She worked as an educator for a year in Indiana before marrying her college sweetheart and moving to Washington, D.C., where she taught high school PE while her husband, Lloyd, got his law degree. After Lloyd graduated, the pair migrated to the Chicago area to start a family.
Maribeth was a devoted mother and was blessed with four children. She was the kind of person who put love into every action, especially when it came to caring for family. She lovingly prepared her home and meals for her children, and in time, her grandchildren, and she passed some treasured recipes down from previous generations.
An avid sports fan, Maribeth was the first to cheer, whether it was Little League or the Super Bowl. She lived to stay active. She loved riding bikes, water skiing, tennis and golf and especially enjoyed boating at Wonder Lake with family. For many years Maribeth would drive to Wonder Lake on Fridays and Lloyd would ride the train up. They would spend the weekend boating, golfing and relaxing. Monday Lloyd would take the train into Chicago to work and Maribeth would play golf with the women at McHenry Country Club on Tuesday mornings. She enjoyed golfing well into her 80s.
An amateur seamstress, Maribeth used to make dresses for her and her daughters, inspiring them to learn to create their own. For many years she was a dedicated volunteer for the Infant Welfare Society. Maribeth also was a 35-year member of P.E.O. sisterhood, Chapter JC Illinois, which is dedicated to helping women with their educational pursuits. Card games were a passion of Maribeth's, and she played bridge with a couple's group for many years.
Another instrumental pillar of her life was Christ Church of Oak Brook. When her children were still young, Maribeth and Lloyd joined Christ Church, and Maribeth became deeply involved in the community and in women's groups at the church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Zickert.
Maribeth is survived by her children, Barry (Kerry) Zickert, Laurie (John) Fahey, Caren (Kevin) Hughs and Brad (Laura) Zickert; her grandchildren, Drew (Laura) Zickert, Jason (Lisa) Fahey, Lisa (Alex) Beal, Shannon Fahey, Joseph (Rachel) Hughs, Noah Hughs, Rachel Zickert, Brittany (Greg) Petorak, Eric Zickert and Chris Zickert; and her great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Weston Fahey, Forrest Beal and Elise Hughs.
A funeral service will be held at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Road.
A luncheon will be held at the church following the service.
Interment is private at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online to PEO at http://www.peointernational.org or http://www.my.christchurch.us/give/christ-church-giving.
Sullivan Funeral Home in Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
