Marilyn Ann Gorham passed peacefully at her home Friday, September 23, 2022. She is survived and lovingly remembered by four children (son Gary, daughter Mary, son Maxwell, and son Michael), one daughter-in-law (Debbie), six grandchildren (Michael, Ashley, Arianna, Nate, Liam, and Brian), one great grandchild (Nicolas), and youngest sibling (Joy).

Marilyn was born in 1931 Ames, IA, grew up in De Kalb, IL, and graduated H.S. in California. A pioneer and entrepreneur, Marilyn would own and operate two successful business: “Elite Data Inc.,” and “Every Day is Christmas.” Raised Methodist, she converted to become a Jehovah’s Witness. Married three times throughout her life, she was widowed by Donald Gorham, beloved stepfather and nexus to a whole manor of step-family.

“Elite Data Inc.” was a data entry company owned and operated by Marilyn in the early 1970’s. Data entry evolved from IBM punch cards to magnetic tape and 8-inch floppy disks.

Taught by her cousin Mary Jane, “Every Day is Christmas,” was a company that produced handmade clay ornaments. The ornaments would be sold and personalized at craft fairs throughout the Midwest. Marilyn started the company after selling the data entry company and would travel with her retired, printer, late husband to St. Louis, MI, and Birmingham, Al. When not traveling, they would attend local fairs, like College of Du Page.

Marilyn is preceded by her parents, Maxwell and Mildred Smith, siblings, Della, Donald, Claudia, eldest son, David, and ex-husbands, Donald Maher and Michael Mc Laughlin.

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