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WINDYCITYMEDIAGROUP

PASSAGES Marsha M. Wetzel
2020-11-17


Marsha Marie Wetzel, advocate for the LGBTQ community, died peacefully at her Greenview Place home in Chicago, Illinois, on Nov. 1, 2020. In keeping with her faith, she passed on All Saints Day. She was preceded in death by her beloved partner of 30 years, Dr. Judith Kahn.

A key contribution that Ms. Wetzel made on behalf of the LGBTQ community and fair housing for all was a legal challenge she brought after facing continual harassment from other residents in her senior living community because she was gay. The U.S. Court of Appeals held in her case that a housing provider can be held liable under the Fair Housing Act for failing to put a stop to known discriminatory harassment. Throughout her life Ms. Wetzel had heard homophobic comments, but stayed true to herself and those she loved.

Born on Sept. 12, 1947 in Hammond, Indiana, Ms. Wetzel worked as a security guard, was a devoted parent to her son, Joshua Kahn, loved tinkering with cars, and was a lifelong White Sox fan with a wicked sense of humor. A memorial service is planned online via Zoom on January 6, 2021, at 12 noon CST. Please RSVP to merrilee@the-care-plan.com . Memorials in Ms. Wetzel's honor can be made to St. Alphonsus Church, Attn. Father Steven Bauer, 1429 W. Wellington, Chicago, IL, 60657 or via online at Website Link Here .


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