SAVOY - Marilyn Jean Andersen Hancock, 78, died at home in Savoy on Monday, May 20, 2024. Her husband was at her side with other family members nearby.
She was born to Howard Scott Andersen and Gladys Andrews Andersen in Chicago on March 22, 1946.
Survivors include her husband, John Hancock, and son Tim Hancock (Angie); sons Jim Keefe (Laura) and Andrew Keefe; sister, Linda Andersen; and nieces, Nicole Schmidt Kunter (Ron), Christina Andersen and Jennifer Andersen. Also surviving are her cousins, Susan Van Auron, Julie Van Auron Trinkle (Larry), Joyce Andrews Dunlap (William), Paula Andrews Knocke (Stanton) and Nancy Andrews Johnson (Gary).
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Pamela Rae Andersen; and aunts and uncles, Charles "Bud" Andrews (Val) and Connie Andrews Van Auron (Carlos "Van") and Eloisa Andrews Beeney.
Marilyn attended Tess Corners Elementary School in Muskego, Wis. As a youth, she enjoyed activities with her sisters and cousins. Vacation time was spent with family in Buda. Marilyn graduated from Bloomington High School with honors in 1964. In 1971, she graduated from Ohio State University Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's in medical technology. Marilyn had two children, Jim and Andrew with her first husband Jack Keefe in Ohio.
On June 25, 1994, Marilyn married the love of her life, John Hancock. Marilyn often times hosted family, including her sister, Linda Andersen, with daughters Nicole, Christina and Jennifer. She enjoyed having young women in her life after years with the boys. In later years, family included the blessing of grandchildren, Lily, Charlie and Christa; as well as grandnephews and niece, Wyatt, Avalynn and Matthew.
Marilyn and John have been active members of the Savoy United Methodist Church for almost 30 years. She retired in 2012 from the role of quality assurance officer at the Champaign County Blood Center. In retirement, Marilyn and John enjoyed service to the church, family and travel.
Special thanks to Nelly Belton, Amanda Shaw and Carle Hospice nurses for Marilyn's care in her time of need. Thank you to family and friends who checked in on Marilyn and John to lend a hand or lift spirits. Thank you to John for going above and beyond. Thank you to Marilyn for her amazing sense of humor and patience in her final days.
A celebration of Marilyn's life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Savoy United Methodist Church, 3002 W. Old Church Road, Champaign, with the Rev. Jungil Rhee officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Savoy United Methodist Church, 3002 W. Old Church Road, Champaign, IL 61822; or ALS United Greater Chicago, 5315 N. Clark St., 650, Chicago, IL 60640.
Marilyn was a giver and a leader. She lived her life in the faith of Jesus Christ. Her dedication to family and friends will be missed dearly, but her spirit will live on in the many people whose lives she touched.
