Marie V. Duyvejonck, 79, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at her home, surrounded by the love of her family. Marie was born on August 1, 1944, in Princeton, Illinois, the second of Raymond and Peggy Johnston's eight children.

She graduated from Marycrest University in 1966, with a degree in mathematics, and was employed by the Rock Island Arsenal, where she broke several accountants' hearts and met her future husband. Marie married Robert Duyvejonck on June 12, 1971, and centered her world around the family they would create.

She spent innumerable hours pacing the outskirts of sporting events, too nervous to watch; baking so that she could feed treats to others; and stitching quilts to gift to anyone with an upcoming important life event--or just to get them out of her closet to make room for more. Some of her favorite adventures were her trips with her siblings. She loved her husband wholeheartedly; her children without fail; and her grandchildren fiercely, unable to tell any of them no and leading each to believe that they were her favorite (because they all were). Her greatest joy was her family.

Marie's departure leaves a hole for all who knew her and loved her; she had found family within her volunteering at Jordan Catholic School and St Ambrose Parish; her work at Pizza and Subs restaurant; her bridge club; her water aerobics groups; and she had maintained friendships with elementary and college classmates dating back decades. She lit up every room she entered and could find someone she knew almost anywhere she went.

In addition to her husband of 53 years, Marie leaves behind their children: Beth (Brian Kirkvold) Duyvejonck, Excelsior, MN; Andrew Duyvejonck, Flower Mound, TX; and Jennifer (Kate) Tuttle, St Louis, MO; stepson Terry Duyvejonck, Loganville, GA; beloved grandchildren Sarah, Jeremy, Sean, Tate, Teaghan, Madeline, Ty, Liv, Oliver, and Hazel; siblings: Martha Marshall, Quincy, IL; Mark (Nancy) Johnston, Tiskilwa, IL; and Brien (Teresa) Johnston, Roscoe, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by siblings Madeleine Grady and Francis, Thomas, and Ruth Johnston.

The visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Wheelen-Pressly Funeral Home in Milan with a funeral service following at 11:30 at St. Ambrose Parish, also in Milan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity.

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.wheelanpressly.com.