Patsy Marley, 81, of Pana, formerly of Nokomis, died Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Pana Health and Rehab following a brief illness.
Visitation will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church in Nokomis, on Friday, March 15, from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. A meal will be served after interment.
Mrs. Marley was born on Sept. 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 the couple moved into a house in rural Oconee that they resided in for over 55 years. In that home, Mrs. Marley raised her children and doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cooking many delicious meals and hosting frequent large and boisterous family functions.
Mrs. Marley 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, Mrs. Marley 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.
Mrs. Marley is survived by her spouse of 63 years, Paul C. Marley; 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.
Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic School at 509 E. Union, Nokomis, IL 62075 or Paws Care at1123 School Street; Hillsboro, IL 62049
