Mary Louise (Lacy) Champion, 94, of Galesburg, passed away at home on Sunday, August 1, 2021 with her daughter and partner Michael at her side.
Mary Lou was born on March 2, 1927, in Galesburg, to Karl and Rose (Sparks) Lacy. She married Richard Kent Champion in 1950 in Galesburg.
Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Jane Louise Champion and partner Michael Delagarza of Port Townsend, WA; and her (deceased) son David’s fiancé Peggy Roberts of Long Lake, WI. She is also survived by her nephew Charles Brown and wife Pat of Galesburg; niece Cheryl (Brown) Affeldt and husband Mark of Las Vegas, NV; nephew William Brown and wife Connie of Illinois; grandnieces and grandnephews: Doug Brown and wife Stacey & family of Fort Meyers, FL; Nathaniel Brown and wife Dawn & family of Chillicothe, IL; Marcus Affeldt and wife Stacey of Nashville, TN; plus all of her great and great-great grand nieces and nephews. Mary Lou cherished her visits with all of her family over the many years.
Mary Lou is preceded in death by her parents, son David Kent Champion, sister Virginia (Lacy) Brown, aunt Mildred “Mimi” Gardner, and husband Richard Kent Champion.
Mary Lou grew up on a family farm south of Knoxville, IL where she attended the Newman Country School for eight years, often riding her favorite pony to school. The Newman School was relocated to the Knoxville Park where her desk still sits proudly where she left it.
After graduating from Knoxville High School in 1944, Mary Lou went to work for John Hancock Insurance Company for 28 years. She began as an office manager and went on to became one of only a few women insurance agents in the area. She received various awards, including a special award presented during a ceremony at the John Hancock national headquarters in Boston, MA. She was the only woman in the large group of recipients.
Over the years Mary Lou participated in the Junior Women’s Club; ESA Sorority; Pilot Club; Red Cross Board; Elks Club; and she enjoyed many years working at the Community Treasures (Cottage Corner) store.
Mary Lou looked forward to and adored every festive gathering with family and friends. She enjoyed fun cocktail hours and dinner parties, playing bridge and trivia, engaging conversations, and dancing the night away at the Weinberg Arcade Roof Garden and Harbor Lights Supper Club. Her warm and infectious smile, great sense of humor, and pure joy lit up every environment she graced. Her parting message on her joint gravestone with son David is this favorite Dr. Seuss quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because (they) happened.”
A visitation for Mary Lou will be held on Wednesday, August 11th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel at 1070 West Fremont Street in Galesburg. A private burial service with be held at the Knoxville Cemetery on Thursday, August 12th. A public Celebration of Life event is being planned for late October with details to be announced in the newspaper, on social media and on the Funeral Home web site.
As Mary Lou loved all animals great and small, contributions can be made to the Knox County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
