Former 48th Ward Alderman Marion Kennedy Volini Has Passed

Before there was Harry Osterman, there was Mary Ann Smith. Before Mary Ann Smith, there was Kathy Osterman. And before Kathy Osterman, there was Marion Volini.

As alderman of the 48th Ward in the late 1970s and most of the 1980s, she stood up for gay rights, and stood with Mayor Harold Washington. She was responsible for the Broadway Armory being preserved as a community center.

On a more local note, she was a driving force in the creation of Edgewater as an official community area in its own right. Until 1980, Edgewater was part of Uptown -- at least as far as the city's community area boundaries were concerned. Now it has its own identity as Chicago's official 77th neighborhood.

Ald. Volini passed away on Monday at age 83.  In a statement, Ald. Osterman, whose mother Kathy was close friends with her, said:

"Yesterday our community suffered a deep loss with the passing of former Alderman Marion Kennedy Volini. As a mom, neighbor, community activist, Alderman, and businesswoman, Marion blazed a trail that brought people together to create a better neighborhood and city for all.

Marion's grace, caring, warm smile, and infectious personality brightened the lives of all those who knew her. As Alderman of the 48th Ward from 1978 until 1987 Marion's leadership, hard work, and dedication to our diverse community set us on a path to where we are as a neighborhood today.

Services for Marion Kennedy Volini:

Wake: Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N Western
Wednesday, May 23rd from 3 pm to 8 pm

Funeral: St Ita's, 1220 W Catalpa
Thursday, May 24th at 10 am

Please keep Marion's sons Michael, David, daughters Monica, Marcie, and Mimi and their families in your thoughts and prayers."

Her obituary is here.