Marjorie Ann (Williams) Muench

Marjorie Ann (Williams) Muench

Marjorie Ann (Williams) Muench died peacefully, at age 100, in hospice at Pine Grove Crossing on May 29, 2020. Born July 11, 1919 on her family farm in Macoupin County, Illinois, Marjorie was the eldest daughter of Clara Mae and John Williams. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers (Harold, Kenneth, and Melvin), her sisters (Dorothy and Olive), her husband (John D. Muench), and her eldest son (John F.). Marjorie is survived by her son Robert (Shirley) Muench, and by her five daughters Ann (Rob Elbl) Muench, Susan (Giedrius) Ploplys, Melanie Muench-Day, Katherine (Brian Eldredge) Muench, and Elizabeth (Ray) Bican. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 great-great granddaughters, and a few generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Marjorie attributed her long life to growing up on a farm and drinking lots of milk. She enjoyed riding her horse Prince five miles to a one-room school house with her brother, and tells how the teacher had her recite the alphabet both forwards and backwards when she ran out of things to do—an accomplishment Marjorie could perform all her life. Marjorie also recalled not really being aware of the great depression, because life on the farm was much the same—hand to mouth. However, she did remember her mother feeding sandwiches to hobos who came by more often.

Marjorie met her future husband John Muench when she entered high school in Carlinville, IL. She graduated in 1936, and they married in 1938, continuing to live in central Illinois until moving to Syracuse, NY in 1941, where their first son was born. In 1942, Marjorie and John returned to Illinois and lived in Springfield and then Carlinville areas where their next two children were born. In 1949, Marjorie and John moved to La Grange Highlands, a western suburb of Chicago, where their next three daughters were born; and then in 1960 they moved to the “big” house in La Grange, where they welcomed their fifth daughter. Although Marjorie was a more traditional at-home Mom, she did learn to play Bridge and enjoyed it immensely. She was also proud to be a part of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

After losing her husband in 1998, Marjorie decided to join two of her daughters living in Colorado. At age 82, Marjorie moved to Parker, and a year later bought a condominium. She thoroughly enjoyed the Parker Senior Center, where she met marvelous people who also played Bridge. Marjorie also enjoyed her FaceBook friends and FaceTime calls and learning about her ancestry. In 2008, Marjorie brought one more “child” into her life—her little dog “Buddy”—and remarked that if it weren’t for Buddy, some days she wouldn’t even bother to get up. 

In the spring of 2019, Marjorie’s eldest son passed due to complications with Alzheimer’s. Though devastated, she agreed to continue plans for her 100th birthday “party,” but did not want it to be a celebration. However, Marjorie was very pleased so many friends and family came from near and far to be with her. And, her friends and family are grateful for the time they had with her that week, and all the time that followed. Marjorie marveled at why several little children seemed enamored with someone who was 100 years old. She never felt that she was all that old, and she always loved babies. Somehow, they knew Marjorie was a kind soul and a very giving person. 

In November 2019, Marjorie, who was living on her own in her condo, fell and broke her wrist. She reluctantly agreed to a short-term stay at an assisted living residential home for rehab of her wrist and to regain her mobility. In January, Marjorie became ill with pneumonia and sepsis, and was admitted to ICU for three nights and then their cardiac floor for additional care. Next, she spent three weeks at a rehabilitation center. Marjorie transitioned to a more permanent assisted living situation where she was just settling in when the facility went into lockdown mode for prevention of the COVID-19 virus. The family believes the care Marjorie received over the past year, and especially the last six months, was excellent and essential. Marjorie was a very strong person, and she will be sorely missed by her family and friends, who take comfort in knowing she is now at peace.

In deep appreciation for all the wonderful work various healthcare professionals and organizations have provided to Marjorie and her family, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to 

Suncrest Hospice

The Bristol Foundation
206 North 2100 West. Ste. 202
Salt Lake City, UT  84116

801.325.0175

bristolfoundation.org

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