Marjorie A. Till

Grandma you were the sweetest, most loving, and caring woman I know. You gave me some of the best memories of my life. I am truly blessed to have had you and grandpa as my grandparents. I am thankful each day that you were able to spend time with my boys. They loved you so much!! Thank you for everything you have done for me!! I am forever grateful!! I will miss you terribly! I am at peace knowing you are finally back with grandpa. I love you always and forever!!

It's only been a couple of days since you've passed, but I miss you more than I can even express. You were more than just my NaNa, you were one of my best friends in the world and one of my biggest supporters. You were so much fun to be with and always there for me, ready to listen - I could tell you anything! When I was little, I always had so much fun spending the night at your house. I remember one time we were watching The Joker's Wild on KPLR (I loved coming over and watching that, along with Tic Tac Dough - I think they came on between 8 and 9 PM, and we didn't get that channel out at our house), and I was sitting on your lap and we heard a big crash - upon investigation, we discovered that the house had been struck by lightning. I was so scared, so you let me sleep with you in your bed that night; you always ended up letting me do that, and it was awesome. The next day, to make me feel better, you took me to Kmart and bought me Fashion Plates, and we played with them down in the basement. I was sad when you moved from that house, because I loved the basement, the school desk in the spare bedroom, the big, climbable TV antenna in the backyard, the front courtyard with all the little orange berries that would fall from the tree in the middle, and most of all, the memories that we shared there together. It turned out that your apartment was just as fun, though. I loved it when Melanie and I would get to spend the night; you would take us to the mall and we would sit at The Green Oak cafe and people watch. We always had a contest to see who knew the most people that were wandering around. A lot of times, you would buy us something - a toy when we were younger, earrings, tapes, and magazines when we were older. You'd even let us hang up New Kids on the Block posters in the spare room where we slept. In the morning, we'd go get Mel-0-Creams or you'd have Froot Loops for me, since Mom wouldn't buy me sugar cereals. I thought that was so cool. You were always loyal, and always took my side - I loved that! When I was really little, you made Gary put on whatever TV shows I wanted to watch; he may not have appreciated that, but I sure did! As I got older, I loved just sitting with you on the couch in the evenings so I could tell you about whatever was going on at school while you scratched my back - you spoiled me, that's for sure. When I left for college, I missed you so much. I was so touched when you would send me care packages with homemade chocolate chip cookies and Rice Krispie Treats, especially since I knew that baking wasn't your favorite pastime. The girls on my floor loved it, too. They knew you as "the cool grandma who wore jeans all the time". All through college, I think you saw every dorm room, dumpy apartment, or house I ever lived in, and you always gave me some sort of housewarming present every time I moved. I still have all of those things. Moving away from Springfield was so hard because I missed you and PaPa so much, but you both always encouraged me and supported me. When I came back to visit you, we'd have dinner and then sit around the table for hours, just talking. I'd have a beer, and you guys always made sure to have my favorite kind in stock back in the utility room. Sometimes, PaPa and I would play gin rummy and you'd make us great snacks, since playing cards wasn't really your thing. In fact, playing games in general wasn't your cup of tea. I remember trying to get you to play Clue with me one time, and you kept wanting me to 'take your turn for you' - that just doesn't work too well when playing Clue! I think we scrapped that idea after about five minutes and just went out to lunch and for a walk instead. After we lost PaPa, I would spend the night with you at the apartment when I came to Springfield. You were always interested in watching new shows, especially ones on MTV, which I thought was awesome. We had so much fun on New Years Eve, 2003. We were able to see the fireworks downtown from the window in the kitchen, and I think you ate three bowls of Gold Medal Ribbon ice cream from Baskin Robbins. What a great way to welcome in a new year. You also came and stayed with me in Bloomington several times. I would try to set you up with fun things to do while I was at work, but instead, you'd do housework for me. I really didn't intend for you to do that, but I sure did appreciate it. During one of your trips, you taught me how to make homemade tenderloins, and we cooked them together for a few of my friends. At my wedding, you looked so beautiful. One of the highlights of the day for me was when you, Mom, and I went over to leave flowers at the Virgin Mary. I'm so glad that we were able to do that together - what a special memory to have as part of one of the best days of my life. I have many, many, many more memories of you. I think of them every day, and they always make me smile. I will always carry those memories in my heart and share them with James and all of the other great-grandchildren. I hope that I can honor your memory by living my life as you did yours - with grace, love, courage, and dignity. I'm sad that you're gone, but I know that you'll still look out for me, just like you always have. I mourn the loss of you here on Earth more deeply than I can explain in words, yet my heart is happy, because I know that you are in Heaven, and that's exactly what you deserve. You always loved angels, and now you are with them. Enjoy their songs, and please give my love to PaPa and my Grandma and Grandpa Zock. I know you will, so thank you in advance. You are free, now, and that makes me so happy. I love you with all of my heart.

So sorry for your loss. Please call if you need anything. My prayers are with you.

I first met Marge when she moved to Springfield when I became frineds with her daughter Linda. She always was so sweet and welcoming ... the kind of parent her children's friends liked to be around. That childhood assessment only has been enhanced through the years. She remained a kind and nurturing person, a joy and fine example to her family and friends alike. What a legacy of love and devotion she has left! Her loss is deeply felt but her memory always shall shine brightly. Diane Cape

Jane, Linda and Gary: So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I always loved the time I spent with your mom and dad with our visits there. MIss you all. Love Cousin Mary

I am so very sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure to meet Marge the few times I was able to. She is a wonderful lady! May God be with her and all of the family during this difficult time. I pray your good memories with her will help ease the pain. I will be praying for all of you.

Mom, What a privilege it has been to be your daughter. You were such a devoted, loving mother to all of us. Nothing was ever too big or too much trouble for you to do for us. You taught us to love others and to have a deep devotion to family. I can only hope to live a life as humble and loving as yours. Thank you also for teaching us to trust in God and lean on our faith in times of trouble. You were a wonderful example of faith in action. It goes without saying how much I will miss you. I love all the memories of things we did together. You were an excellent mother in law to Mike, an incredible grandma to Melanie, Jeff and David, and a sweet great-grandma to Andrew, Jacob, and Ella. Rest in peace, Mom. You deserve your new life with Dad and all your family and friends. Until we meet again, I am forever indebted to you for being such an awesome Mom to me. My love forever, Jane

Mom, You were the best. You were always there whenever I needed you. You generously babysat so we could travel on the business trips we had. It gave us such peace of mind knowing you and Dad were looking after Jen and Chris. You survived losing Dad better than we would have imagined you could. You had a lot of strength even when your body became so very fragile. I hated seeing you have to go through your struggles. I always prayed you wouldn't have to suffer and that you would find peace. I know you are with God and Dad and I am very happy for you. I am very sad for our family though. I just can't imagine you not being here with us. Everything centered around you especially after Dad passed. I know you will be our angel now watching over us. We have already seen evidence of that. Know that you were loved deeply and always will be. God gave me the best mother ever. I was so blessed. All my love, Linda