Marilyn T. (nee Stay) Ravenscraft

On Thursday, March 10, 2022, surrounded by all of her loved ones, the matriarch of the Ravenscraft-Stay family, Marilyn T. Ravenscraft, passed away peacefully.  She was 77.

Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to anyone who God put in her path—whether they had two legs or four. Her kindness, love, and giving heart will be remembered and cherished forever. Anyone who had the chance to know her knows she was the kindest and most generous woman. She was incapable of judging other's flaws or holding grudges. Any lost soul needing saving found their way to her. If the world could have plugged into her heart, she could have saved us all.

Marilyn had many health issues her whole life, but her determination to provide for her family kept her alive. She worked nights for 18 years at Intermatic in Spring Grove, IL working on the factory line assembling timers and other similar products. She then cared for special-needs adults at The Kylie Center for 20 years until she was injured on the job, forcing her to retire.

She lived on Tweed Road in Fox Lake, IL with her husband of 59 years, Robert Ravenscraft. They raised their children:  Robert Theodore (Jenny) 55, Lisa Marie (Robbie Maas) 51, and Jessica Mary 43, across the street from her parents, Theodore and Francis Stay, and her best friend, the late Cheryl Dobosiewicz.

From the day her daughter, Jessica, was born with Down’s Syndrome, Marilyn was determined for her to make it. She made sure Jess experienced everything she ever wanted to. She gave Jess options most people wouldn’t have felt Jess was capable to do. She believed in Jess. She was an example to others with children like Jess, that it was ok to be proud of their special child. Jess was the light of her life.

Marilyn spent her life bringing her family together for celebrations and gatherings, keeping together the ties needed for large families. After retiring, Marilyn and Robert purchased a resort in Shawano, WI. She cared for her mother, Francis, at home for two years before she passed, while helping her husband run their resort. During the 13 years the resort was open, she worked harder than she ever had--and of course opened her heart to every desperate family or person that stumbled on her doorstep in need of shelter. The list of selfless good deeds goes on and on, and she will never be forgotten.

In addition to her husband and children, Marilyn is survived by grandchildren, Ken (Sara), Haley (Jared) Sandretti, Christina (Chris Nehs) Ravenscraft, Kyle Quinn, Abby (Peter Jr.) Tolan, Ella Quinn, and Rylee Quinn; great-grandchildren, Luka Ravenscraft, Naomi Nehs, Asher Quinn, PeterTolan III, and Nora Tolan; brother, Ted (Luann) Stay; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by siblings, Carol (Roger) Pecor, Marie Smith, and Jim (Patricia) Stay.

Visitation Sunday, March 20, from 2-6 p.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals & Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake.  Funeral Mass Monday, March 21, 10 a.m., Our Lady of the Lakes-St. Bede Church, 36455 N. Wilson Rd., Ingleside, IL.  All are invited to go directly to the Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Fremont Center, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or the World Wildlife Fund, appreciated.

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