Marilyn passed peacefully on April 5, 2016 at 10:49 a.m. after battling chronic pain since an unfortunate injury 31 years ago. Born in Philadelphia on February 12, 1949 to Charles Emmett Wohlenberg Jr. and Antoinette Julia Alinoski, she grew up in Germantown and graduated from Little Flower High School. She was the center of her family and is survived by her three children: Michael L. Belancio (Jean), Thomas C. Belancio, and Amy LaCreta (John); her two grandchildren Kaylee LaCreta and Patrick LaCreta; and her brother Charles Wohlenberg (Nancy).

Marilyn's children were born during the infancy of the Perkins Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Shortly after Tom was born, Marilyn became a tenacious advocate for the educational rights of children with disabilities. She was a due process advocate for over 1,000 children – helping obtain the educations they deserved.

In the midst of it all, and despite her life-altering injury, she went back to college and earned her bachelor's degree in special education, where she subsequently taught in the Philadelphia School District for several years, and was also a special education compliance monitor for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. However, her passion always remained with advocacy to which she returned until she retired. For her work in special education, the Philadelphia Board of Education presented her a lifetime achievement award; and she received recognition from Governors Thornburg and Casey, and Mayor Green. She was also instrumental in starting the Philadelphia Academy Charter School.

Join the family to celebrate Marilyn's remarkable life on Saturday, April 23, 2016, 10:00-11:15 A.M. at the Burns Funeral Home, 9708 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114. Funeral Service 11:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mission Project 2, enabling capable young adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities to live independently and safely in the community with minimal support. 5960 Dearborn, Suite 240, Mission, KS 66202. www.missionproject2.org/support