100-year-old continues to live life to the fullest

With 70 friends and family members surrounding her, Marion Abbruscato of Sun City Huntley celebrated her 100th birthday at a party Sunday, May 2, in Huntley.

"She has truly been a wonderful example of how to live life to its fullest," said her oldest grandson Dan Fitzsimmons, 51, of Algonquin. He helped organize the gathering. "We certainly thought that this party was the least we could do after all she has done for us."

Marion was born and raised in Chicago by her parents, Melchior and Anne Weides, two direct immigrants from the small country of Luxembourg. She represented the country in the 1933 World's Fair parade in Chicago. The family lived near Wrigley Field, and she is a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.

At Immaculata High School, she excelled in basketball and bowling. She later worked as an executive assistant to the president of the Brunswick Corporation, now an internationally recognized leader in the bowling and billiards trades.

She not only worked in administration, but became the public face of the company, appearing as a model in print advertisements.

In 1943 she married Joe Abbruscato, who passed away in 1999. She says their marriage still lives on in eternity when asked how long she was married. The couple raised two daughters and lived in the same Skokie house for decades.

"She was blown away by the turnout," said Fitzsimmons of the party. "She danced with her grandsons and sang with the music, continuing to live life to the fullest."