Marjorie Rankin Leopardo, age 90 years of Cary, IL., formerly of Arlington Heights, IL. was born December 3, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Harry and Eugenia Jones Rankin, and passed away on October 22, 2026 in Cary, Illinois. Marjorie’s life was marked by a deep Christian faith, a love of family, a curious mind, and a lifelong commitment to helping others. A dedicated and compassionate LCSW clinical social worker and psychotherapist, Marjorie earned her degree from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Work and completed postgraduate clinical training at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. She devoted her professional life to counseling children and adolescents, helping hundreds of young people and families throughout the Chicago area. Marjorie’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She became a Christian at eight years old at Winona Lake and later attended Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout her life, she was active in her church, teaching Sunday school to children and adults and serving for many years as the Adult Discipleship Elder at Southminister Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights. She was known for her gentle spirit, kindness, and genuine compassion for others. She embodied the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” She was also an accomplished pianist, a life-long reader, and an excellent baker whose cookies and pies became treasured family traditions. Marjorie and her beloved husband Samuel Leopardo shared an unlikely but enduring love story. He was a street-smart Italian from Chicago’s South Side; she was a sweet, gentle Baptist girl from Wisconsin. Despite their different backgrounds, they found a deep and lasting love. Sam affectionately called her his “Baptist sweetie.” Together, they built a marriage that lasted 62 years and raised a family that remains their legacy. She was preceded in death by her husband Samuel, her parents Harry and Eugenia Rankin and her brother Donald Rankin. She is survived by her daughters Elizabeth (Rodney) Driscoll and Kathryn (Frank) Asen, her grandchildren William Collin Driscoll, Sarah (David Glen) Ellis, Adam Driscoll, Leah (Jonah) Jackson and Eric Asen, and her great-grandson Johannes Jackson. Funeral Friday, October 30, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Harvest Bible Chapel, 580 Tracy Trail, Crystal Lake, Il. A private family graveside service will be held at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary, IL. Visitation at the church Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Feed My Starving Children (give.finsc.org), an organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to children in need around the world. 

The Eernisse Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Leopardo family. www.eernissefuneralhome.com