Marilyn H. Bolling

Marilyn Haan Bolling, 88, loving mother and grandmother, of Machesney Park, IL, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, March 20, 2025. She was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, on June 13, 1936, to Enno Roelf Haan and Ruth McDowell Haan. Marilyn grew up in Evanston, Illinois, and graduated from Centre College in Kentucky in 1957. She earned a Master's Degree in art history from the University of Iowa in 1959, where she met her husband, Doug. Marilyn was very considerate and a dear friend to many, often reaching out to others who needed help. She was a Renaissance woman, pursuing many interests (music, reading, art, gardening, genealogy, yoga, Buddhism and Native American spiritual philosophies) with great passion throughout her life.

After moving to Rockford, IL, with her young family, she started a 30- year career at Singer Mental Health Center. At Singer, Marilyn worked in public relations and later helped develop Singer’s art therapy program, one of the first in Illinois. After retirement, she volunteered time to Womanspace, an arts organization, where she was involved in many projects, including working on a native prairie garden and designing the Womanspace labyrinth, modeled after the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth in France. Marilyn cherished her long visits to Door County, WI, with family and friends from her time as a child until the present. She preferred the “quiet side” of the peninsula, where her parents often vacationed, allowing Marilyn to discover her love of nature at a young age.

Marilyn is survived by her two loving sons, Elliot of Loves Park, IL, and Kevin (Margy) of Homewood, IL; and her four grandchildren, Evan Bolling, Megan Bolling, Ella Bolling, and Lucy Bolling. Preceding her in death are her parents and former husband, Doug Bolling.

A celebration of her life will be held in Nashville, IN, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Womanspace, an arts organization, in Rockford, IL.

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