Longtime Riverside volunteer
Maripat Scanlon, 85, of Riverside, died on April 25, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on Oct. 23, 1940, she was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and taught until she married Bill, her husband for 64 years. After their children were grown, she enjoyed a career in real estate and worked alongside Bill at Access Benefit Plan Consultants.
She was deeply engaged in her community. She started a volunteer organization at Brookfield Zoo, volunteered at MacNeal Hospital, was a Lone Tree Area Girl Scout Council director and Girl Scout leader, ran the Riverside Community Fund, and served on the Riverside Plan Commission. She also enjoyed being treasurer of the Riverside Garden Club and on the board of the Olmsted Society.
Her life was defined by her zest for living. She approached everything she did with great gusto, whether it was creating adventures for her children to explore art, theater, music, and the city of Chicago; having an opinion on any and all topics and sticking to it with conviction; talking about current news and politics; devouring British mystery books; decorating the house for every holiday from Mardi Gras to Christmas and everything in between; planning both the family’s annual trips to Door County and her outfits. She was a spirited and passionate person who lived a life filled with love, purpose, and dedication to her family.
Maripat was predeceased by her husband, Bill Scanlon. She was the mother of Jacqueline (Michael) Lurie, Courtenay (Edward) Erb, Alyson Scanlon, and Blake (Anne) Scanlon; the grandmother of Bradford (Samantha) Lurie, Blaire Lurie, Sheridan Lurie, Laramie Scanlon, Colin Scanlon, Nolan Scanlon, and Cassidy Erb; and the great-grandmother of Margot Lurie. She was the daughter of the late Wilbur and Margaret Higgins (nee Sheridan); the sister of the late John Higgins (Diane) and James Higgins (Rosemary); the sister-in law of Mary Catherine (the late John) Durkin, Noreen (the late Philip) Cherep, the late John D. (Jane) Scanlon, the late Edward “Butch” (the late Colleen) Scanlon, and the late Andrew “Skip” Scanlon. She was the aunt of many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a friend to many.
A visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester) on Friday, May 8 from 3 until 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, at St. Mary Church in Riverside. To livestream, please visit conboywestchesterfh.com/obituary/maripat-scanlon.
Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maripat’s memory to Riverside Public Library.
Arrangements were handled by the Origi