Marie Fletcher

Marie Fletcher, 86 of Hawthorn Woods, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026. She was born on December 15, 1939, in Chicago to Samuel and Josephine (nee Fischella) Geraci.

Marie grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood. At just 10 years old, she met Carl Fletcher when he sat behind her in class – a small childhood moment that would grow into a lifelong bond and love story.

Marie and Carl were married on August 19, 1961, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. Together they built a loving family, welcoming their four sons and bringing each of them home to the very house where Marie had grown up – a place filled with generations of memories, love, traditions and laughter. In 1978, the family relocated to the northwest suburbs spending time in Arlington Heights and Kildeer before retiring in Hawthorn Woods.

Marie and Carl shared a love of travel, having visited 61 different countries. No matter how far they roamed, they never missed a Saturday night out trying a new restaurant or revisiting a favorite. At home, Marie was a wonderful Italian cook with a family favorite being her famous linguine with shrimp and broccoli. She was a proud cancer survivor, having faced the challenge with courage, grace and an unshakable spirit.

Marie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Carl Fletcher; children, Kevin, Ken, Keith and Kraig Fletcher; her grandchildren, Nicholas Fletcher and Alyssa (Josh) Venckus; and her sister-in-law, Lorraine (the late Philip)

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings, Dorothy (Russ), Joseph (Francis), and Philip (Lorraine).

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 33 S. Buesching Rd., Lake Zurich, IL 60047.

Interment will follow Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery in Palatine at 12:15 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the Fletcher family asks for support of The H Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting basic science cancer research. To make a donation in memory of Marie, please visit https://www.hfoundation.org/donate-now.