Memorial services for Marion Willey, 90, Lawrence, will be at 2 pm Thursday at the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor Chapel. Marion died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.
She was born Mar. 7, 1927, in Lawrence, the daughter of Theodore and Lena Womack Wiley. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1945. Marion worked as a secretary at the University of Kansas Department of Anthropology. She later worked at Hallmark Cards for many years. She was a founding member of the Kaw Valley Quilters and Crazy Quilters, and enjoyed spending time with her dogs. Marion was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church.
She married Elden E. Willey on Sept. 15, 1946, at First Baptist Church in Lawrence. He preceded her in death in 1996. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Odell Wiley. Survivors include two sons, P. Willey and wife Judy Stolen, Chico, Calif., and Gale Willey and wife Bonnie, Lawrence; three nieces, Barbara Wiley, Martyn Umholtz, and Carol Lauber; and three nephews, Michael Wiley, and Brian and David Wigington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com
I am so sorry to hear of Marion’s passing,but I feel so privileged to have known her. She was a kind, sweet, humorous, friend. You have my deepest sympathy.
Dear Marion- I feel so lucky to have been able to get to know you the last few years through our mutual connection with Barbara Wiley, your niece. You were the most generous and lovely person I have met in a long time. You always asked about my family and had supportive and kind words to share! May God bless you and your family in their time of grief. I will close the way we also ended our conversations by telling you I love you and you saying, I love you too Eunice. Goodbye dear one!
Marion, I was fortunate enough to be your nurse for almost forty years. I always looked forward to your visits. On every visit you had a smile on your face and a story to tell me. We had lots of stories to tell each other about our fabulous dogs. You always inquired about my mother. Marion, you were one of my most favorite patients of my entire career. I will never forget you.
Marion, you were such a delight to have in my life. We met as coworkers and you were such an inspiration, you worked a full time job and then went home to take care of Elden. You were a role model for love and commitment.
After retirement, what fun we had on our lunch dates and our drives around town. You were a wealth of Lawrence history and I so enjoyed your stories.
You will be missed, but never forgotten my friend. I’m sure Dena was waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge!
Love, Connee
Dear Marion, I just saw you last Sunday as you were leaving church. I could hardly believe the notice in today’s paper. You were always a friend with a ready smile and kind words. I will miss you. Love, Mary Demeritt Gordon
Dear Friend Marion- I will remember our visits fondly. You always expressed an interest in everything going on my life and shared freely about your loved ones. You were always caring and thankful for everything people did for you. You enjoyed listening to all my stories and I enjoyed hearing your stories. I will miss your frequent phone calls reminding me how much you cared about me and my family. I hope that you are meeting up with old friends and are making them feel as blessed and loved as I have felt by knowing you. You were a great friend!
Love Always,
Christine
Aunt Marion – As I took a late afternoon walk today, I thought how much you would have loved the magnificent trees and autumn colors. You would have expressed interest in the families in the neighborhood and enjoyed any dogs walking with their people. When the tears of sadness and loss started to well in my eyes, I was reminded of your encouragement to enjoy my life. You always wanted the best for me and for everyone you came to know. I miss you profoundly, yet I also feel challenged to live up to the person you saw within me. Thank you for such a gift. It is your legacy living on in those you loved.
I sincerely hope your “new life” is one of peace, joy, and grace, reunited at long last with your beloved Elden.
Your niece, Marty