Marilyn Homa Toomey passed away on January 7, 2016 in Springfield, IL at St. John's Hospice. Marilyn, of LaGrange, KY, was at home visiting relatives when she became ill. She joyfully celebrated the holidays with family and her 85th birthday party on December 27th. Marilyn was born on December 27, 1930 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL, the first child of Andrew and Mary M. Homa. She graduated from St. Joseph's Grade School in 1944 and from Ursuline Academy in 1948, both in Springfield, IL. After high school, Marilyn later worked at Franklin Life Insurance. Marilyn moved to Louisville, Kentucky when she was 25. She became a professional secretary and worked at Brown-Forman Distillery, GE, and Trane A/C. In addition, Marilyn was a member of SEIU Racetrack Employees Union, Local 541 of Louisville, KY, employed as ticket seller & cashier. She was one of only two women in the Local at that time. She worked at Keenland Racetrack in Lexington, KY and occasionally at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Marilyn loved horses and thoroughbred racing, grey mares were her favorite. She also loved red roses, the symbol of the "Run for the Roses," the Kentucky Derby. Marilyn married James Toomey in Louisville on July 12, 1975, and celebrated with family and good friends. Marilyn & Jim built a new home a few years later in LaGrange, KY, near Louisville. They enjoyed their life on their two acres with many gardens, beautiful flowers and trees. Later in life, they moved to Patio Homes at Springhouse Estates in LaGrange, KY, where they made many new friends. There she enjoyed her "patio garden," and loved to feed the birds, especially hummingbirds. Marilyn's husband Jim passed away in 2013. Marilyn is survived by her brother, Andrew D. Homa (wife Barbara) and her sister, Kathryn D. Homa (husband David Harren), both of Springfield, IL. Also, nieces and nephews, Drew Stephens (Mano) of San Francisco, CA, Steve Homa (Dawn) of Chatham, IL, Beth Homa Pallante of Glenarm, IL, and Missy Homa Cartwright (Kevin) of Springfield, IL; great-nephews, Zach Pallante, Lucas Homa, Caleb, Josh and Noah Cartwright; great-niece Ashley Blevins (Brad); and a great-great-nephew, Carter. She is also survived by her step-children, Willie Toomey, Wayne Toomey, Rosie Toomey and Mary Piles (Ronnie) of the Louisville, KY area; grandchildren, Kyle Toomey (Kelly), Sara Toomey, Lauren Toomey (Danial Benton) and Sam Toomey; and great-grandchildren Gracie, Kaylee and Hank. Marilyn lived a full life and enjoyed many years of fun, family and friends. Many will miss her bright, loving and generous spirit. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 12:45-1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at St. Joseph Church, 1345 N. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Mass: 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Steven A. Janoski, celebrant. Services and visitation will also be held in LaGrange, KY at the Oldham County Funeral Home on Saturday, January 23, 2016. Marilyn will be buried with her husband in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 N. Main St., Camberlain, SD 57325 (stjo.org). The address for non-monetary donations is 220 N. Main St., Chamberlain, SD 57325. St. Joseph's Indian School, an organization run by the Congregation of the Catholic Priests of the Heart, helps Native American children and families to "education for life mind, body, heart and spirit." They serve by helping children who are in need by running several schools for Lakota (Sioux) children, some who are homeless, abused or in foster care. It has existed since 1927. St. Joseph's Indian School not only educates as a normal high school would, but the children also have the opportunity to learn the Lakota/Sioux language, dance, and other customs of their ancestors. In addition, they receive individual counseling. The schools are live-in schools, so the children are clothed, sheltered, and safe in a comfortable environment. She the website or call for more details. The St. Joseph's Indian School accepts cash donations, but they also accept non-monetary contributions. You may want to look at some of their very reasonably priced gifts on their website. They also accept donations of clothing (size 8-20), school supplies, and basics of living such as soap, toothpaste, sheets, and more. You may also make a tribute donation for Marilyn. Marilyn loved this charity, and since she donated often, she would receive sweet, useful gifts and notes. This is a good place, and helps children living in poverty to get a good education and become productive citizens. Memorial contributions may also be made to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, 800 Cherokee Ave., S.E., Atlanta, GA 30315 (gorillafund.org). Marilyn was good friends with Dian Fossey in Louisville, KY before Fossey (as Marilyn always called her) moved to Africa. Fossey met Dr. Louis Leakey while on a trip to Africa. He asked if she would be interested in studying the mountain gorillas of the Congo. It was several years before Fossey received funding for the previously unstudied mountain gorillas, partly funded by National Geographic. When the Congo became too dangerous, she moved her research to the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. Fossey even tried to recruit Marilyn and/or her sister in the early 70's to work with her there! Research, at first, was Fossey sitting munching on a piece of grass and imitating the mountain gorilla sounds and behavior, making notes of what she saw. Eventually some of the gorillas became interested in what she was doing, and then, one touched her. She never approached them during her research. This organization used to be called The Digit Fund (after her favorite gorilla) then was changed after her death to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. You can even "adopt" a gorilla baby, a mother & child, a big male Silverback, or a whole family. You'll receive updates on research and other information from the Gorilla Fund, about "your" gorilla. See more about this on the website. Marilyn and Dian were both independent women living in Louisville in the 1960's, and hit it off and did many things together. I remember that she and Marilyn went shopping at a dime store in Louisville, for scary Halloween masks Fossey could take back with her to Africa. Fossey lived in Africa alone at first, and was an imposing 6 foot tall figure, so she and the masks kept the poachers at bay, a little. Although Marilyn said she rarely god dressed up when living in Louisville, as an occupational therapist, Marilyn said when she did dress up, she was absolutely beautiful. If you want the full story on Fossey and the gorillas, read her book Gorillas in the Mist. Marilyn would appreciate a contribution to this fund to help continue her old friend's work in Rwanda. Marilyn loved animals too, so a contribution to your favorite organization which helps animals, wild or tame, would also be great.
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