Patsy (Haycox) Marley

Patsy Marley, 81, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Pana Health and Rehab following a brief illness.

She is survived by her spouse of 63 years, Paul C. Marley, her children, Paul (Marla) C. Marley, Jr. of Oconee, Inez (Darrin) Vits of Dixon, and Rita (David) Harper of Rochester, nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Audrey and Katherine (Haycox) Brooks, sister, Delores Brown, and brothers, Everett, Kenneth, and Russell Brooks.

She was born on September 17, 1942, and lived most of her life within a 20-mile radius. In 1960 she graduated from Nokomis High School and married Paul C. Marley in November of that same year. In 1965 Paul and Patsy moved into a house in rural Oconee that they resided in for over 55 years. In that home, she raised her children and doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren, cooking many delicious meals, and hosting frequent large and boisterous family functions. She was famous for her fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and special chocolate chip cookies. Every grandchild that visited knew the toys were kept in the bottom drawer and that the Sesame Street house was in the closet. She loved animals and considered her four-footed furry friends her children, too. In addition to her life as a homemaker, Patsy also spent a few years working at McDonald’s in Pana as a lobby lady and eventual biscuit maker. In addition to being a wonderful cook and biscuit maker, Patsy loved to read and garden. She harvested and canned tomato juice and green beans and froze corn to enjoy during the long winter months.

Visitation will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church, Nokomis, Illinois, on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 10:00 am-11:00 am, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am. A meal will be served after interment.

Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic School; 509 E. Union, Nokomis, IL  62075 or Paws Care; 1123 School Street; Hillsboro, IL  62049                                     

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