Marion Biagi, 94, a longtime Oak Park resident, died peacefully at home on Aug. 19, 2025. She was a trailblazer, artist, activist, environmentalist, craftsperson, genealogist, teacher, and mother. Born and raised on farms in rural Illinois during the Depression, as one of eight children, she learned frugality, repurposing, and creating with what she had.
After graduating from the University of Illinois, she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and went on to teach English and Art. During this time, she met her husband, Bill, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage and raised eight children in Oak Park.
Marion was an amazing knitter and designed some of her own patterns. She also quilted, crocheted, crafted many Halloween costumes, clothing, and furniture, and built small businesses, including a Housekeeping calendar and a set of alphabetized miniature “ABC Drawers” for children and those who are children at heart. She also edged cotton flannel baby blankets that swaddled babies far and wide.
She loved camping, traveling, dancing, and the quiet calm of the Oak Park Conservatory. She cared deeply about health issues and clean water.
She fought for women’s rights with the National Organization of Women and worked to keep pesticides out of local parks, keep pool prices affordable, and was an active player in Barrie Park’s major remediation project and its eventual resurgence. She also helped found the South East Oak Park Community Organization (SEOPCO).
At age 50, she raced in the Frank Lloyd Wright 10K, running past the houses he designed, which she loved to share with visitors.
After a slow decline with dementia, which she handled with grace over 19 years, she is now free. Marion is survived by her brothers, Max and Bill Newport; her children, Jennifer, Alison, Bill, Jim, Bob, Tom, Adele, and Amelia; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 13 at The Christian Community, 2135 W. Wilson in Chicago.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.