Marie Saeli

Marie Saeli

April 9, 1955 – June 6, 2023

Marie Saeli passed away peacefully on June 6, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her parents Margaret and Anthony Saeli.

Dear sister of Anita Diesing, Joseph (Susan) Saeli, Diane (John) Tyndal and the late Anthony (Kathy) Saeli Jr.

Fond aunt to many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Cherished best friend and life partner of Drake Carlson.

Marie was a life-long Franklin Park resident, began working at Franklin Park Library as a part-time clerk from 1977 until 1978.

In 1990, she returned to the library for a clerk/typist job, and eventually assisted in three departments concurrently: Circulation, Technical Services and the Business Office. In 1991, she began working full-time and over the years, she processed library materials, put up book and movie displays, created signs and the newsletter, ran a book club, and assisted the Business Office.

Marie was promoted to Business Manager in 1997 and remained in this role until 2003, when the Executive Director vacancy arose. While working as a library director, she earned her Master’s degree in Library Science from Dominican University.

Over almost two decades, she oversaw the library as the notion of a traditional library expanded and evolved due to technology’s impact. This meant increasing public computer access, adding public Wi-Fi, and building new collections (DVDs, e-books, video games, Wi-Fi hotspots, streaming services).

Marie attended North and Main schools in Franklin Park, and she was a graduate of East Leyden High School class of 1973, University of Illinois – Champaign class of 1978 (Bachelor of Arts degree – English), Northwestern University class of 1983 (Master’s degree – Cinema Studies), and Dominican University class of 2009 (Master’s degree in Library Science).

She was known for her love of animals, classic films, gardening, coffee and chocolate. Marie played the guitar and had an appreciation for music. She was a past-president of the Franklin Park Woman’s Club and a club member for many years prior. She enjoyed teaching part-time as an adjunct instructor at Triton College from 1982 until 2023. Rescuing strays was another pastime; many of the kittens she rescued were adopted by library staff.