Clingan, Marjorie D.
Age 79, beloved wife of Steve Clingan; loving mother of Dave ( Julie), Doug ( Beth), Rob and Greg Clingan; dear grandmother of Caroline, Nick, Sarah and Robert; loving sister of Dorothy ( the late Norman) Wacholz, Dolores “Sunny” Dirkman and the late Leo ( Marcy) Dirkman and the late Lollie ( Leonard) Schleis; very devoted aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Marge was born in Francis Creek, Wisconsin, the youngest child of John and Caroline Dirkman, and graduated from Mishicot High in 1956. As a teenager, she struck out for Chicago where she worked at several secretarial jobs before becoming secretary to the President at Fuller Smith and Ross advertising Agency.
She married Steve in 1964 and they lived in Evanston where she was President of Evanston Newcomers Club and started her family. They raised their four sons in Northfield where they attended St Philip the Apostle School followed by Loyola Academy. Marge was most known for her kind and loving ways. She opened her heart and home to all. She hosted AFS students for a full year each. From Belgium came Damien, from Liberia came George, from Australia - Ruby, Finland - Pasi and from Germany - Andreas. To all of them, she was “Mom” and they all came back bringing their families with them.
Marge was involved in all the activities at her Parish and schools, most recently tutoring at OLPH School. She was a past President of the Womens’ Guild at St Philip and single handedly sold the ad space for the Parish annual directory for over 35 years. Aid for Women and Meals on Wheels were passions for her. Marge loved playing tennis and platform tennis at Sunset Ridge Country Club where she led her children and grandchildren to play the sport.
The Winneta Village Follies occupied Marge’s “leisure” time. She produced shows and directed numbers with Steve- most memorably “The Bickerson’s” series which attained dubious fame. She came forward in her last year in poor health to do one more stint as President of the theatre group.
Her last years involved an ongoing battle against Leukemia where she defied the odds on several occasions. She still was able to do the “Light the Night” walk as recently as 2016.
She cherished her grandchildren more than anything in the world. Every birthday, graduation or sporting event- she was always there. But she was that way for everybody. Her support and love were boundless. We all will miss her every day.
Visitation Friday, June 1, 2018, 4: 00 p. m. to 8: 00 p. m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. at Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077. Visitation Saturday, June 2, 2018, 9: 30 a. m. until time of the Funeral Mass 11: 00 a. m. at Saint Philip the Apostle Church, 1962 Old Willow Road, Northfield, IL 60093. Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 954 W. Washington Blvd # 305, Chicago, IL 60607.
Info: 847- 675- 1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com