78, of Macomb
Marilyn Keeney, 78, of Macomb, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, surrounded by her daughters. Her death was caused by a sudden and unexpected illness of MRSA pneumonia.
She was born on May 16, 1947, in Springfield, to John and Dorothy Adams (Holiday). Marilyn graduated from Springfield High School before attending Western Illinois University. And this is when her love story began when she met the greatest love of her life, James Keeney, who was working as a graduate assistant in Student Activities for WIU. Marilyn received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University in 1969, with a minor in Art.
On November 25, 1965, Jim and Marilyn began a loving and devoted 57-year friendship and partnership. In 1969, she began her career teaching second grade in Lewiston, where she discovered a deep passion for advocating for children and guiding them to reach their full potential academically and socially. Marilyn took some time off in between teaching to help raise her two daughters, Jennifer and Lisa. In 1980, Marilyn went back to her true passion - working with young children with special needs. She dedicated the next several years to special education, including four years as a classroom teacher before beginning a new chapter as a Special Education Preschool Paraprofessional at MacArthur School, where she faithfully served for 27 years. From 2007 to 2012, she taught as a Resource Teacher for first and second grades at Lincoln Elementary School; later spending her final years in a Cross-categorial Special Education room with some of her favorite people. Throughout her remarkable 47-year career in education, she impacted thousands of students, making it her primary goal to help them feel valued, encouraged, and safe.
Marilyn was a loyal and caring presence in her community. She was a longtime member of Wesley Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. In 2013, she joined The Crossing Church, where she was re-baptized and proudly served in the greeting ministry. She was also a member of the WIU Faculty Wives, the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and the WIU Leatherneck Club, and volunteered as a receptionist at McDonough District Hospital.
Marilyn enjoyed reading, music, drawing, painting, decorating, and anything with nature. She was known for being a kind, gentle, genuine, and humble person. Marilyn also had a fun sense of humor and was always full of energy. She always had an amazing way of cheering someone up, making people feel like they were the most important person to her, and trying her hardest to make things the very best and most special for others. She loved her family, and she was a loyal friend. She was a devoted wife to Jim, happily being the other half of an amazing Keeney team. Together, they proudly raised two daughters, who were so lucky to have their unwavering support, unconditional love, and lifetime friendship. Being a mom was one of her greatest joys in life and made her so happy. She was creative, loved playing games, making birthdays magical, family gatherings memorable, and everyday moments meaningful. She always put her daughter’s needs before her own, went out of her way to make things special, genuinely enjoyed hearing about their day, was always able to make things better, and put her heart and soul into being an amazing mom. Above all, she truly cherished and lived for spending time with her family and four beautiful grandchildren, by whom she was affectionately called “Mema”. She was immensely proud of them and deeply invested in every aspect of their lives, celebrating each milestone and accomplishment with joy. She was the one everyone went to for the sweetest hugs, answers to difficult trivia questions, and compassionate care.
She was a creative force in the classroom, lovingly using her eye for detail to create fun, handmade learning games for her students and beautifully decorating the room for each new season. But she was mostly known for her tremendous love of teaching children and making them feel valued and important. It didn’t matter who they were or what they needed; she was going to let them know she believed in them and would help them however she could. She also had the kindest heart for all animals. She advocated for animal rights and their humane treatment. She respected and cherished the beautiful love they gave unconditionally, a reflection of the unconditional love she so naturally gave.
Marilyn is survived by her two daughters, Jennifer (David) Ludwig of Geneva, and Lisa Keeney-Albrecht of Bettendorf, IA, and her four treasured grandchildren: Ava and Sadie Ludwig, and Carson and Molly Albrecht. She also leaves behind her (and Jim’s) favorite Keeney member - Quincy the cat. Surviving relatives include cherished cousins, Laurie (Jamie) Long of West Point, MS, Alan (Maggie) Shontz of St. Charles, Alison (Tim) Franklin of Glencoe, and other extended family members whom she loved and cared about dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, many aunts and uncles, one cousin, and her best friend, her husband, on August 3, 2025.
Cremation rites have been accorded by Dodsworth Funeral Home in Macomb. Visitation will be held on April 18, 2026, from 10-11:30 am at The Crossing Church in Macomb. Friends are welcome to enjoy some food, fellowship, and celebrate Marilyn’s life, which will be offered at the church. Following the visitation and celebration, a graveside service and burial will take place at 12:30 pm at Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Keeney Kid Fund for Lincoln School, McDonough County Animal Shelter, The Humane Society of McDonough County, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Lastly, some simple thoughts from Marilyn, “If you take the time to listen - really listen - kids know you're on their side. And that changes everything. Children are precious gifts. They need to be respected, heard, and loved - and that’s what I’ve tried to do every day for 46 years”.
Please sign the guestbook or leave condolences at www.dodsworthfh. com
