Marilyn Sapp Womeldorff's Obituary
Marilyn Sapp Womeldorff passed away in Chicago, IL on November 16, 2025.
Marilyn was born and raised in Decatur, IL and lived there throughout her marriage to Porter raising her family until they moved to Chicago to be closer to their grandchild.
Marilyn was the very definition of duality. She chose a scientific endeavor for her career but really had the soul of an artist. She studied pharmacy at a time when she was one of only a handful of women at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. She worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years, but seemingly always had some artistic endeavor underway.
She took classes to learn drawing, sculpting and wood carving. She sculpted busts of both of her sons. Later in life she bought a kiln and made fused glass jewelry that she sold at local art fairs.
Alongside the artist and scientist was someone with a hunger for spirituality. She and Porter were very active in United Methodist churches in both Decatur and Naples, Florida. She also pursued a decades long study of A Course in Miracles. She even started a clown troop at her church to enhance the children’s ministry.
But above it all she was a great mom. She did whatever she could to ensure her sons’ successes in life. She taught her sons many life lessons, but more than anything how to laugh and have fun.
She was preceded in death by her husband Porter Womeldorff and her mother Lucille Sapp. She is survived by her two sons Mike and John as well as John’s wife Shauna and her only grandchild Alice.
A celebration of life will be held on December 13th from 1-3 at GK9 Wine and Spirits (225 N. Water Street in Decatur) . Please come and share a drink and a laugh and a memory of Marilyn with her family and friends.
Condolences may be left online at https://www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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