1941
Marilyn
2025
Marilyn Manikas
November 22, 1941 — April 6, 2025
Marilyn C. Manikas (nee Pocica), 83, of West Chicago, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025.
To know Marilyn is to love Marilyn. Her warmth, wit, compassion, sincerity, generosity, and concern for others made her a favorite wherever she went. She was always quick with a compliment, hug, or expression of support or concern. And her unsuspecting one-liners or off-the-cuff comments frequently had people doubled over in laughter. She will be tremendously missed.
Marilyn’s story began on November 22, 1941, when she was born to two hard-working and loving parents (Frank and Florence Pocica). She grew up with her little sister Pam on the near southwest side of Chicago – a block from the Cook County jail. Marilyn attended St. Casimir grammar school and St. Casimir high school, where she made numerous lifelong friends.
In December of 1961, Marilyn married Don Manikas, her high school sweetheart. For a brief stint early in their marriage, they lived on Andrews Air Force Base while Don served in the Air Force. However, not long after their first child was born, they settled back in Chicago at Marilyn’s childhood home (a 4-flat apartment). Marilyn’s parents, her sister Pam, and her aunt and uncle’s family lived in the other three apartments. Fortunately, Marilyn enjoyed having a close family (both literally and figuratively), and didn’t mind the Polka music that often filled the air.
All of that nearby family support sure came in handy when Marilyn and Don had three children in less than three and a half years. Although life was hectic, Marilyn enjoyed living in the city and being a stay-at-home mom while her children (Don, Bob, and Barb) were little. Since Marilyn didn’t drive, she and the kids would walk, take buses, or take the “L” to wherever they needed to go. One way or another, Marilyn would get everybody where they needed to be.
In 1976, Marilyn and Don built their dream home in unincorporated Wayne Center near West Chicago. She quickly became friends with the neighbors, establishing friendships that would last a lifetime. To ensure that her children would get a good Catholic education and have everything else they could ever want, Marilyn decided that she needed to learn to drive and to get a job. When Marilyn applied for a factory job at Container Corporation of America, the supervisor told her “Blondie, this isn’t the place for you.” Thirty-five years later, Marilyn retired from that job.
As her children got older, Marilyn grew even closer with them. She and her son Don had breakfast together every Sunday morning. They talked about everything going on in the family. She and her daughter Barb spent countless hours together, be it shopping, going to appointments, catching lunch and a midday movie, or simply being together. Other family members shared their special moments with Marilyn. Her children’s spouses quickly became part of her inner circle as well. Marilyn’s daughters-in-law were simply additional daughters. She welcomed them into the family and made them feel loved and included. But those new daughters quickly learned that Marilyn would find a way to turn every activity or event (and any major sporting event) into an opportunity for a family get-together. To Marilyn, nothing was more important than spending time with her family.
Marilyn loved hosting family parties and holidays. Fortunately for her family, this gave her an opportunity to showcase her phenomenal cooking skills. Marilyn used her cooking as another way to express her love. Every family member could count on having one of his or her favorite dishes at every celebration. As a result, there was no place that her family would rather be than at Marilyn’s house for all the holidays.
Marilyn loved to get her nails and hair done, to go shopping, and to attend shows, concerts and sporting events (especially White Sox games). Marilyn also had a tremendous sense of style. She would often go shopping with her granddaughters to help them select dresses for special events. To Marilyn, all these outings were more about the opportunity to spend time with the people she loved than the activity itself. When with her family, even doctors’ visits and trips to the grocery store were fun. Marilyn loved to interact with people and loved to laugh. If you spent a day with Marilyn, you were guaranteed to have fun.
Her son Don and daughter Barb would frequently accompany her to games or shows. Marilyn knew that she could convince them to stop at White Castle on the way home. Other family members would take Marilyn on fun excursions or adventures. But, it was rare to ever see Marilyn at any of these events or activities (or any event for that matter) without her best friend in the world – her daughter Barb. Marilyn and Barb truly enjoyed spending every minute they could together.
Marilyn’s faith was extremely important to her. She said the rosary every day and made attending mass one of her highest priorities. Marilyn took her rosary on every trip. She believed in the power of prayer and would pray for her family, friends, and anyone who needed strength, support, or healing.
In 1986, Marilyn was devastated by the unimaginable loss of her son Bobby. Somehow, employing her deep faith in God and her love of her family, she found the strength to go on and to continue to bring joy to the rest of her family. She worried about, and cared for, everyone else while she quietly dealt with the worst thing that could happen to a parent. She was the absolute model of courage, strength, and grace.
Luckily, Marilyn soon had a new outlet for her love – her grandchildren. She established special relationships with each of her grandchildren and made sure that she had time to do things with them individually and as a group. Whether going on shopping trips with Susie and Annie, or White Sox games with Bobby, or trips to Great America or Disney World with all of them, she showed them how much they meant to her. Almost every outing ended with a trip to her grandchild’s favorite restaurant, where they would spend hours just talking. Susie, Bobby, and Annie viewed their grandma as a trusted adviser, a confidant, and a friend – a pretty fun friend too. At each of their college graduations, Marilyn (who was not much of a drinker) went out celebrating with them and did a couple of lemon drop shots in their honor. The fun that ensued will never be forgotten.
Of course, Marilyn saved a special place in her heart for her great-grandchildren. Ben won her heart on Day One, and then kept it for the next 16 years. Not a conversation would go by without her mentioning Ben and looking for her next chance to see him. She didn’t have as much time with little Joey, Charlie, and Trey. But, whenever she saw them, she got that twinkle in her eyes and the brightest smile across her face.
Undoubtedly, Marilyn will continue watching all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the rest of her family from up above. Down here, she will be missed immensely
Beloved mother of Don (Kim) Manikas, Barb (Holly Hudson) Manikas, and the late Bobby (Alison Cliff Sweeton); loving grandmother of Susie Manikas, Bobby (Blair) Manikas, Annie (Alex) Zak, and the late Theresa Manikas; proud great-grandmother of Ben, Joey, Charlie, and Robert "Trey"; former wife of the late Donald J. Manikas; dear sister of Pamela Ediger; loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Visitation Tuesday, April 15 from 9:00am until time of prayers 11:15am at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 950 South Bartlett Rd. (at Stearns Rd.), Bartlett to Resurrection Catholic Church. Mass 12 noon. Private inurnment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to Ronald McDonald House near Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital at www.rmhccni.org are appreciated. Info (630)289-7575
To know Marilyn is to love Marilyn. Her warmth, wit, compassion, sincerity, generosity, and concern for others made her a favorite wherever she went. She was always quick with a compliment, hug, or expression of support or concern. And her unsuspecting one-liners or off-the-cuff comments frequently had people doubled over in laughter. She will be tremendously missed.
Marilyn’s story began on November 22, 1941, when she was born to two hard-working and loving parents (Frank and Florence Pocica). She grew up with her little sister Pam on the near southwest side of Chicago – a block from the Cook County jail. Marilyn attended St. Casimir grammar school and St. Casimir high school, where she made numerous lifelong friends.
In December of 1961, Marilyn married Don Manikas, her high school sweetheart. For a brief stint early in their marriage, they lived on Andrews Air Force Base while Don served in the Air Force. However, not long after their first child was born, they settled back in Chicago at Marilyn’s childhood home (a 4-flat apartment). Marilyn’s parents, her sister Pam, and her aunt and uncle’s family lived in the other three apartments. Fortunately, Marilyn enjoyed having a close family (both literally and figuratively), and didn’t mind the Polka music that often filled the air.
All of that nearby family support sure came in handy when Marilyn and Don had three children in less than three and a half years. Although life was hectic, Marilyn enjoyed living in the city and being a stay-at-home mom while her children (Don, Bob, and Barb) were little. Since Marilyn didn’t drive, she and the kids would walk, take buses, or take the “L” to wherever they needed to go. One way or another, Marilyn would get everybody where they needed to be.
In 1976, Marilyn and Don built their dream home in unincorporated Wayne Center near West Chicago. She quickly became friends with the neighbors, establishing friendships that would last a lifetime. To ensure that her children would get a good Catholic education and have everything else they could ever want, Marilyn decided that she needed to learn to drive and to get a job. When Marilyn applied for a factory job at Container Corporation of America, the supervisor told her “Blondie, this isn’t the place for you.” Thirty-five years later, Marilyn retired from that job.
As her children got older, Marilyn grew even closer with them. She and her son Don had breakfast together every Sunday morning. They talked about everything going on in the family. She and her daughter Barb spent countless hours together, be it shopping, going to appointments, catching lunch and a midday movie, or simply being together. Other family members shared their special moments with Marilyn. Her children’s spouses quickly became part of her inner circle as well. Marilyn’s daughters-in-law were simply additional daughters. She welcomed them into the family and made them feel loved and included. But those new daughters quickly learned that Marilyn would find a way to turn every activity or event (and any major sporting event) into an opportunity for a family get-together. To Marilyn, nothing was more important than spending time with her family.
Marilyn loved hosting family parties and holidays. Fortunately for her family, this gave her an opportunity to showcase her phenomenal cooking skills. Marilyn used her cooking as another way to express her love. Every family member could count on having one of his or her favorite dishes at every celebration. As a result, there was no place that her family would rather be than at Marilyn’s house for all the holidays.
Marilyn loved to get her nails and hair done, to go shopping, and to attend shows, concerts and sporting events (especially White Sox games). Marilyn also had a tremendous sense of style. She would often go shopping with her granddaughters to help them select dresses for special events. To Marilyn, all these outings were more about the opportunity to spend time with the people she loved than the activity itself. When with her family, even doctors’ visits and trips to the grocery store were fun. Marilyn loved to interact with people and loved to laugh. If you spent a day with Marilyn, you were guaranteed to have fun.
Her son Don and daughter Barb would frequently accompany her to games or shows. Marilyn knew that she could convince them to stop at White Castle on the way home. Other family members would take Marilyn on fun excursions or adventures. But, it was rare to ever see Marilyn at any of these events or activities (or any event for that matter) without her best friend in the world – her daughter Barb. Marilyn and Barb truly enjoyed spending every minute they could together.
Marilyn’s faith was extremely important to her. She said the rosary every day and made attending mass one of her highest priorities. Marilyn took her rosary on every trip. She believed in the power of prayer and would pray for her family, friends, and anyone who needed strength, support, or healing.
In 1986, Marilyn was devastated by the unimaginable loss of her son Bobby. Somehow, employing her deep faith in God and her love of her family, she found the strength to go on and to continue to bring joy to the rest of her family. She worried about, and cared for, everyone else while she quietly dealt with the worst thing that could happen to a parent. She was the absolute model of courage, strength, and grace.
Luckily, Marilyn soon had a new outlet for her love – her grandchildren. She established special relationships with each of her grandchildren and made sure that she had time to do things with them individually and as a group. Whether going on shopping trips with Susie and Annie, or White Sox games with Bobby, or trips to Great America or Disney World with all of them, she showed them how much they meant to her. Almost every outing ended with a trip to her grandchild’s favorite restaurant, where they would spend hours just talking. Susie, Bobby, and Annie viewed their grandma as a trusted adviser, a confidant, and a friend – a pretty fun friend too. At each of their college graduations, Marilyn (who was not much of a drinker) went out celebrating with them and did a couple of lemon drop shots in their honor. The fun that ensued will never be forgotten.
Of course, Marilyn saved a special place in her heart for her great-grandchildren. Ben won her heart on Day One, and then kept it for the next 16 years. Not a conversation would go by without her mentioning Ben and looking for her next chance to see him. She didn’t have as much time with little Joey, Charlie, and Trey. But, whenever she saw them, she got that twinkle in her eyes and the brightest smile across her face.
Undoubtedly, Marilyn will continue watching all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the rest of her family from up above. Down here, she will be missed immensely
Beloved mother of Don (Kim) Manikas, Barb (Holly Hudson) Manikas, and the late Bobby (Alison Cliff Sweeton); loving grandmother of Susie Manikas, Bobby (Blair) Manikas, Annie (Alex) Zak, and the late Theresa Manikas; proud great-grandmother of Ben, Joey, Charlie, and Robert "Trey"; former wife of the late Donald J. Manikas; dear sister of Pamela Ediger; loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Visitation Tuesday, April 15 from 9:00am until time of prayers 11:15am at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 950 South Bartlett Rd. (at Stearns Rd.), Bartlett to Resurrection Catholic Church. Mass 12 noon. Private inurnment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to Ronald McDonald House near Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital at www.rmhccni.org are appreciated. Info (630)289-7575
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Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, Bartlett
Mass
Resurrection Catholic Church
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