Marsha Marilyn Laird

December 30, 1943 - November 3, 2022

Marsha Marilyn Laird, née DeHeve, 78, died November 3, 2022, at her home in Chatham, surrounded by her children. She was born December 30, 1943 to Angelo and Hedwig Lubrant DeHeve and was raised in Auburn, IL.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Laird, and her parents.

Survivors include her three children: Daniel (Anne) Laird of Longmont, CO; Christopher (Isabelle) Laird of Louisville, CO; and Theresa (Curtis) Cunningham of Monona, WI; eight grandchildren: Simon, George, Oscar, Charlotte, and Sophie Laird; Allison, Vivian, and Frederick Cunningham; two brothers: David (Shirley) DeHeve of Colorado, and Jack (Ellen) DeHeve of Springfield; two sisters: Pat DeHeve and Diana Tull of Springfield; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

She thoroughly enjoyed and cherished her childhood and friends in Auburn. She was always happy to regale her children and grandchildren with tales of her youth and nostalgia during driving tours through Auburn.

In 1965, she was working at Franklin Life Insurance Company when she married the love of her life, Marvin Laird, on April 24. They had three children and were happily married until his death in 2020.

Marsha was a hairdresser for 10 years, then retired from the State of Illinois after 18 years.

Her Roman Catholic faith was foundational to her life. She and her family were active parishioners at Little Flower Church and School and later at Sacred Heart and St. Joe’s in Chatham.

She was a driver for CareGivers for 15 years and was passionately Pro-life. She was also a member of the Legion of Mary for nine years. Marsha truly lived her faith and never sought recognition for the kindness and acts of service that she bestowed on others. In fact, she rarely told anyone she was doing them.

Her immediate family and extended family were truly her priorities. One of Marsha’s favorite sayings was that “you may not be able to do great things but you can do small things with great love”. This embodied her. Marsha had a big family with many nieces and nephews and she loved them and their kids unconditionally. Many have reached out to her to express how much her love and kindness has meant to them over the years.

She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and watched nearly every game in recent years. Earlier in life, she would listen to the games on the radio and she took it personally when a favorite player was traded to another team. She also enjoyed watching the Fighting Illini. She loved watching and going to musicals, especially the ones that featured dancing. Gene Kelly was her favorite.

Marsha was rare. It would be difficult to find a warmer, more humble, compassionate, loving person. She was selfless, often putting the needs of others before her own. She was truly happiest when she was with her family and friends and she was deeply loved. The impact she made on those around her was great and she will be deeply missed. We were so lucky to have her.

Visitation: 9 – 10:30 am, Monday, November 7, 2022 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with a eulogy at 10 am.

Funeral Mass: 11 am, Monday, November 7, 2022 at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Kevin Mann officiating. Burial will follow at Auburn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Little Flower School.

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Visitation Information

Date: Monday, November 7, 2022

Time: 09:00 am - 10:30 am

Staab Funeral Home - Springfield

Address:

1109 South Fifth Street

Springfield, Illinois 62703

217-528-6461 Map

Visitation: 9 – 10:30 am, Monday, November 7, 2022 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with a eulogy at 10 am.

Service Information

Date: Monday, November 7, 2022

Time: 11:00 am

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Address:

730 South 12th Street

Springfield, IL 62703

217-523-5963 Map

Funeral Mass: 11 am, Monday, November 7, 2022 at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Kevin Mann officiating. Burial will follow as Auburn Cemetery.

Cemetery Information

Date: Monday, November 7, 2022

Auburn Cemetery

Address:

15125 Kennedy Rd

Auburn, IL 62615

(217) 438-2858 Map

Memorial Information

Memorial contributions may be made to Little Flower School.

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Malinda Craig posted on 11/8/22

Marsha worked for me at IDOT. She was one of the kindest people who ever worked for me always eager to please always smiling always had a happy attitude. I still remember how excited she was to go to St. Louis to meet the Pope. She was very proud of her family and always told me stories about her kids. My deepest sympathy to her family I know she will be greatly missed. A truly lovely person I was privileged to know

Deneen DeHeve Olszanowski posted on 11/7/22

You will always be in my heart. You had shown me so much love through the years. Now you’re in God’s hands. I know you are smiling down on all of us. Love you very much!

Deneen DeHeve Olszanowski posted on 11/7/22

I will truly miss you and all the love you gave to me and everyone. You will always be in my heart. Love you

Bridget Gracner posted on 11/7/22

My good friend Theresa Cunningham is Marsha’s daughter. Over the years I have had the privilege of attending many special events in the Cunningham’s family and Marsha was there. Marsha was always kind, caring and made my family feel welcome. Her smile and laughter was always contagious. I’m so glad to have known you.

Joline Slomka posted on 11/7/22

Aunt Marsha was so kind and sweet to everyone. I loved coming to Springfield during the fair and staying with her and Uncle Marvin. I would love sitting there listening to her and my dad (her brother David) talk about their childhood. It was so enjoyable. My kids loved coming there too. She would make them little goodie bags with treats for the long ride back home. She would color with my daughter and make the kids whatever they wanted to eat. I will forever cherish those memories. I feel so blessed to have her in my life and to say she was my Aunt. She is in Heaven a beautiful place now and with her love Marvin. Love and miss you Aunt Marsha.

Caleb Schupbach posted on 11/6/22

Marsha sold us our beautiful home. My wife and I fell in love with the house the moment we saw it. We gave our best offer (which wasn’t enough) and after learning that we were a young couple looking to start a family Marsha generously accepted our offer. From the first time we met she treated us with love and kindness. We loved hearing her tell stories about the house and we loved her random visits to see what was new even more. In the short time we knew her it was obvious that she was a remarkably special person. After reading other people’s kind words and condolences it’s clear that Marsha’s kindness and loving spirit is a big part of what makes this home feel so special. Marsha felt like a part of our small Chatham family and she will be deeply missed. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends. - The Schupbach Family

christine deheve posted on 11/6/22

I will always remember my great Aunt Marsha for how loving, kind, and welcoming she was. Her and Marvin were always a joy to visit. I am forever grateful for having her in my life. I have faith that she has met her loving husband Marvin at the gates and is now in paradise.

Julienne (Devos) Van Hoos posted on 11/6/22

Marsha and I became friends since 1st grade. We made a lot of memories. We played jacks, played with paper dolls, we took tap dancing and acrobat classes together. We loved to dance to 50-60 music. We were always together doing something. I will cherish our memories forever until we meet again. Love you, Marsha

gina mcintyre posted on 11/6/22

Aunt Marsha the kindest of she will be truly missed she's an angel now her prayers was always appreciated and my condolences to her children and grandchildren.

Diana(Di) Deheve Tull posted on 11/6/22

Marsha was my sister a year and half apart. We did everything together, played paper dolls, double dated, stood up for each other when we got married and had children, I never been without her and I'll be lost. I love Marsha!!

Bob & Rosanne Wiatrolik posted on 11/5/22

Jack, Ellen, and family, we are sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. May the choirs of angels speed her to paradise while our Blessed Mother comforts you in your grief Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rosanne and Bob Wiatrolik

James DeHeve posted on 11/5/22

As a very young child I know of nothing more prevalent than of my Aunt Marsha's kindness, her numerous attempts to puts smiles on me and my brothers faces, the love that she radiated towards me was truly unconditional, which guided me to immolate her love and kindness towards others. My only memories of Aunt Marsha are pleasant ones, which are deeply engrained within me in how she always made me feel. It was very hard to lose such a caring and considerate Uncle in her husband Marvin, now it is extremely harsh to now have both of them no longer part of our lives until the Lord unites us once again.

David Schleyhahn posted on 11/5/22

Marsha was a family friend for many years and was a very nice person. Condolences to her children, family and friends.

Carolyn and Jim Nuckols posted on 11/5/22

My very good special friend Marsha, I will miss u more then you could ever know. Our weekly coffee meetings was something I cherished so much. You have a beautiful family that will miss you so much. But, you will b with Marvin and the two will watch over your family everyday. Love you My friend.

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