Marjorie Anne Chaney Purcell was born on October 8, 1920, in Rock Island to Clara Bernice Ramser Chaney and Raymond Edward Chaney, on their first wedding anniversary. She died in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on August 1, 2014, at MethWick Community, in the loving care of family and Unity Point Hospice.

Marge grew up in Rock Island and Western Springs, Illinois, graduating from Rock Island Senior High School in 1938, from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1940, and studying at the University of Illinois, until a burst appendix interrupted her college education just short of graduation.

In 1943, she married George Edgar Hill, Jr., of Burlington, a Navy pilot during WW II who was lost at sea in the Pacific theater; his body was never recovered. Marge continued to work in several war efforts and became secretary to the Reverend Dan Gold Long, minister at Broadway Presbyterian Church.

In 1947, she met and married Donald Hudson Purcell, of Clinton, Iowa, who had returned from service in the Army Air Corps, as a pilot, then an OSS officer, completing his WWII service in Nuremberg, Germany, as a pre-trial interviewer. Life was disrupted yet again when Don, in the Air Force reserves, was sent to Korea, and they were initially stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

Following Korea, life for their entire generation settled, and Marge's life in the Quad Cities became more worry-free, but always active. Marge and Don both engaged in numerous community and church organizations and committees. Don't think for a minute they didn't make time for a vibrant social life. They had the best friends in the entire world, gave great parties, traveled, and enjoyed family to its fullest.

Marge led several community organizations while working in the home. Some of those activities included Visiting Nurses Association, Broadway Church session, PEO Chapter GQ, Girl Scouts, chairing the VNA Mardi Gras Ball, Delta Gamma, teaching Sunday School, Girl Scout leader, and so much more.

In her late 40s, as a result of a conversation at a cocktail party, she trained and became the first paralegal in the state of Illinois, working until retirement for Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton & Noe, LLP, in Moline, a group of attorneys and staff whom she both enjoyed and admired.

She was preceded in death by her parents and both husbands, George Hill in 1944 and Donald Purcell in 1996.

Behind she leaves a daughter, Kathleen (Purcell) Minette and her husband, Richard Minette; two grandchildren, Michael Minette and Aimee Minette Kern and her husband, Andy, and a great grandson, Carson Kern; her brother, Ralph Chaney and wife, Diana. A number of Chaney, Purcell, and Shaff cousins paid special attention to Marge over the years and loved her beautifully giving priceless time and attention.

Her final act and wish was that her body, like Don's, be donated to the University of Iowa for research and the advancement of medical science. When studies are complete her cremains will be interred near Don's at the Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City, and she will be memorialized at the annual ceremony held by the medical and science colleges.

Today, in Marge's memory, please, share a laugh and a hug with those you love. That would be her greatest joy and legacy.

Whelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.