Marilyn S. (Fouquette) McConnell passed peacefully into eternal life on June 5, 2026 in Wauwatosa, WI at the age of 93.
Marilyn was the eldest of five children born to Theodore and Lillian Fouquette in Foley, MN. At age 20, she left home to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities). Marilyn worked her way through the 5-year program, graduating with honors. During her senior year at the “U”, she married doctoral student Robert McConnell. After graduation, she began her career as an operating room nurse, then OR/ER supervisor at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis. She continued her career after the birth of her first child, next working as a nursing instructor at the University of Mississippi after the family relocated to Jackson.
Marilyn left the workforce for nearly 20 years to raise her four children, during which time the family lived in Illinois and Massachusetts, finally settling in Wisconsin. She resumed her career, beginning as a nursing supervisor in a Milwaukee-area nursing home while also attending graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning a M.S. in Administrative Leadership and Supervision in Education. Upon graduation, Marilyn began her favorite job, as an instructor in the Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. She remained at MATC for 25 years, retiring shortly before her 80th birthday. During that time she served as Coordinator of the Nursing Assistant program and developed the State of Wisconsin Certified Nursing Assistant curriculum. She was known for her high standards and also for caring deeply about the success of her students.
Marilyn is survived by her children: Suzette (John) Hildebrand, Ted (Keri) McConnell, and Gordon McConnell. She is also survived by “Grandma’s Girls”, who brought her much joy:
Kate Hildebrand, Lisa (fiance Dan O’Sullivan) McConnell, Caroline (Andy) Dwyer, Claire Hildebrand, and Laura McConnell.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert G. McConnell, her son Robert G. (the late Laurie) McConnell II, and her siblings.
Marilyn’s family appreciates the compassionate care she received during her last years, and is especially grateful to her caregivers Gayle and Peggy Lee for their exceptional dedication and kindness.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Dominic Catholic Parish, Brookfield on Friday, June 26 at 11:00am, with visitation beginning at 10:30am until the time of Mass. Inurnment to take place at Bruce Cemetery, Bruce, WI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any desired memorial donations be made to honor Marilyn’s legacy and support the next generation of nursing students at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Contributions may be made online at matc.edu/foundation/giving-form.html by selecting the “Other” designation and entering “Nursing Program”. Alternatively, checks payable to the MATC Foundation Inc. may be mailed to: MATC Foundation, 700 W. State St., Room M244, Milwaukee, WI 53233 (please note "In memory of Marilyn McConnell - Nursing" on the memo line).
