Marylu Branecki

Marylu D. Branecki, of Barrington, IL, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at the age of 88 with family by her side.  She was born October 16, 1933 in Chicago, the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Lucille R. (nee Reynolds) Durkin.

Marylu is survived by her daughters, Mary B. Stockmal of Hinsdale, IL and Amy M. Jones of New Canaan, CT, her grandchildren, Andrew Stockmal, Matthew Stockmal, Michael Stockmal, Abigail “Abby” Stockmal, Trevor Jones and Drew Jones, and her sister, Rita J. Murphy of Carmel, IL.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Irwin L. Branecki, and her sister, Darlene Puhl.

Combining high intelligence, fierce determination & resolve, sterling character and values, and a bountiful love for family and friends, she crafted a life of extraordinary diversity and range.

Marylu grew up in Elmwood Park, IL.  She graduated from Trinity High School in River Forest and earned a B.S. in Chemistry on afull academic scholarship at Dominican University (then Rosary College).

Marylu met Irwin when she was just 17.  And, while Irwin proposed nearly every year after they met, she held him off for 10 years to pursue a professional career, graduate degree and travel.  She used her degree in Chemistry to work for Baxter Labs, and then Helene Curtis.  She went on to on to earn a Master’s in Chemistry at LoyolaUniversity in Chicago and wrote her PhD there as well.   Fiercely independent, she made sure to tour Europe – alone – prior to accepting Irwin’s proposal.

Marylu and Irwin were married for 62 years.   After a few years in Westchester, IL, they made their family home in Barrington, livingin the same home for 45 years, until they relocated to Lake Barrington Woods retirement community a just a few years ago.

Her marriage launched her second career: devoted wife and mother to Mary and Amy but once her daughters entered adolescence, Marylu once again felt the pull of her training and professional excellence and decided to reenter the workforce.

She somehow found a 2 month program at Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA specifically tailored to help women in Chemistry quickly “catch up” on recent developments and reenter the workforce. She skillfully balanced work and family by accepting a part-time position at Quaker Oats that enabled her to be home when her daughters got home from school. At Quaker Oats, she crafted an impressive career as a Senior Chemist, first in the Pet Foods Division, and later the People Foods side. If you’ve ever fed your dog Kibbles ‘N Bits, or snacked on a Quaker Chewy Granola Bar, well, you have Marylu to thank for that.

In her “spare time,” she became an enthusiastic and highly capable skier, sailor, duplicate bridge player, cook (with recipes, of course, written in chemical formulas!), steadfast friend to many, hostess of family gatherings, contributor of time and money to charitable service, and omnipresent spectator at all the recitals, games, plays and other activities of her grandchildren. And, oh yes, she was a devoted reader, lover of opera and symphony, and enthusiast of many other hobbies and activities.

In all of these endeavors, she was resolved, unpretentious, precise and dedicated to preserving traditions, values, and standards of excellence. In short, Marylu did all the things, and did them well, that a formidable and capable woman can do.  She loved God, nurtured a family, made her mark as a scientist and professional, and befriended many – keeping close contact with friends from grade school, college, many bridge clubs, and Barrington.

Visitation will be held Monday, March 28, from 9:45 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 120 Ela St, Barrington, IL 60010. Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marylu's memory to Doctor's Without Borders at https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate or to the charity of your choice.