Mrs. Mary Sue Marshall, 76, passed away peacefully at 10:18 am, Friday, January 12, 2024, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was at home surrounded by her loving daughters.
Mary was born the daughter of Harry and Dora Mae (Brown) Bulson on June 9, 1947, in Galesburg. She married her soulmate, James W. Marshall on February 25, 1967, in Wataga, Illinois. After 51 years of marriage, Jim preceded her in death on June 25, 2018.
Left to cherish her memories are her daughters, Tara Marshall of Alexis, Illinois and Mona (Bradley) Florian of Harwinton, Connecticut; her sister, Patricia “Patty” M. Smith of Galesburg and her ten grandchildren, that she always greeted them with “Hi, Honey”, Blaine (Taylor) Florian, Abigail (Daniel) Gourdin, Maddy Florian, Mallory Flynn, Grace (Drew) Huffman. Emily Flynn, Ethan Florian, Sophia Florian, Egan Marshall and Irelynn Marshall; five great grandchildren, Carter, Emmett, Lily, Liam and Aleeah and one on the way. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Mary worked alongside her husband, Jim, when they founded Jimmy’s Pizza in Wataga 1983. She had also worked for the Elks Lodge #894 when it was located downtown on Prairie Street and the Knotty Pine in Wataga.
Mary was an avid St. Louis Cardinal and Chicago Bear fan. She loved watching baseball and taking in a round of golf. Her favorite pastime was shopping for a good bargain and was a self-proclaimed thrift store Queen. Her and Jim were snowbirds, spending winters in Florida. They always looked forward to having all their grandchildren visit and taking them on boat rides. Mary loved to take long walks along the beach, collecting seashells and was endearingly known as the “Happy Wonderer”.
Mary had a zest for life and fought her cancer with everything she had. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family would like to thank the dedication of OSF Hospice nurses who provided her comfort in her own home.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 pm Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. A Memorial Service will follow at 6:00 pm at the chapel. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The burial will be at a later date in Wataga Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com
