Marianne was a ground breaker for women in The Catholic Church as one of the first Pastoral Ministers in the Midwest, working at St. Catherine La Boure in Glenview, IL, then in Deerfield, IL at Holy Cross Church.
Marianne additionally loved music and was involved with guitar music that became very popular in the 1970s - 80s. She administered to parishioners in need of council for weddings, music, baptisms, Catholic continuing adult education, annual adult Catechumen Program that began in the fall, and ended with their baptism at Easter. Additionally, she counseled many families going through crises and loss.
Educated at Loyola College for religious studies, specializing in the history of the Catholic Church and writing classes, focused on reaching the heart of parishioners young to old to find their place in their spiritual family.
Marianne's calling reached far and wide into the lives of thousands along her journey through example and words, and that included her two children, and even their friends. She loved her job, because she loved The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Marianne's writing was published several times, but most notably was a special liturgy where she co-authored with the late great Cardinal Joseph Bernadin.
Marianne( née Avina) Caruso joins her late mother (Margaret Avina), father (Joseph Avina), brother( Leonard Avina) and beloved husband (John Caruso).
She leaves behind her daughters Debra (Marc) De Stefano and Suzanne Caruso, grandchildren, Joseph, Nicholas and Angela (Ben), and siblings Robert (Maureen) Avina and Lenore (Ted) Pristash and grand dogs Ezzie, Angus, Hoochie, Millie, and grand cat Phoenix.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital