Margaret Bess “Marge” Eddy Elsea, 102, of Marshall, died Sunday, September 4, 2023, at Big Bend Retreat in Slater.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2023, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Marshall with Fr. Francis Doyle officiating. Burial will follow in Ridge Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church and an online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Born June 8, 1921, in Saline County, she was the daughter of the late Rufus Lee Eddy and Margaret Agnes Adams Eddy. Marge lived in Saline County her entire life and was a 1939 graduate of Mercy Academy. On July 8, 1941, she married Edward “Jack” Elsea. Marge was a lifelong member of St. Peter Catholic Church where she had served in many capacities. She had taken advanced business courses with the Sisters of Mercy which helped prepare her in serving as the secretary of the church, school, and parish council. Marge was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, having served as president, and the Daughters of Isabella, serving as Regent and numerous times as Recording Secretary. She very much enjoyed the fellowship of the Daughters of Isabella and attended state and national meetings any time possible. One of the highlights she enjoyed with the D of I was a trip to Europe where they toured the Vatican in a group audience with Pope John Paul II, as well as visiting Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Notre Dame Cathedral and Monaco.
In addition to being a homemaker for her family and serving the Lord, Marge worked in staff development as a clerk stenographer at Marshall Habilitation Center for 15 years. Following her retirement she became involved in the Marshall Area Senior Citizens working the desk and serving on both boards. She also enjoyed their Friday night carry-in’s, playing cards, as well as the many friends she made through Marshall Area Senior Citizens. With her enjoyment of playing cards, she belonged to a traveling card group that met in Marshall, Slater, Brunswick, Carrollton and Salisbury. She loved feeding and watching the birds, gardening (especially her flowers), and enjoyed dancing with friends. Marge was a wonderful cook, and loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
She is survived by five children: Judith “Judy” Mark, Edward Elsea Jr. (Wanda), Mary Gilliam (Tom), Ida Jane Elsea and James Joseph “Jim” Elsea; son-in-law, Steve Markley; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews; and other extended family.
Marge was preceded in death by two daughters, Susan Elsea (in infancy) and Rose Markley; son-in-law, Richard Mark; and five brothers: John, Robert, Clyde, Charlie and James Ernest Eddy.