Marcia Mae Elliott

Marcia was a gift.

A bundle of joy handed into the arms of sweet “Daddy & Momma”, Edward & Ona (Sarff) Heim, on May 2, 1928 at Pekin Hospital, only steps away from her grandparents’ home.

An only child, Marcia grew up surrounded by family – cousins, aunts, uncles, and those fondest Sarff & Heim grandparents. Vivid, happy memories of Sunday suppers, summers at the Havana cabins on the banks of the Illinois River, birthdays and holidays, and just wonderful ordinary days. Memories – cherished friends, palling around with classmates (full names remembered), soda fountain escapades, learning to drive, and the fun of being young – vivid, delighting memories all the way.

Graduating from Pekin High (she still wore her senior sweater), so excited to begin work at Farmer’s Insurance. Marcia would recall, to the last detail, the suit, the hat, and gleam in his eye of her future husband, Virgil Elliott wore the day he walked through the company’s door.

Their wedding was June 12, 1948, held at that “old” downtown 1st Methodist Church, was eclipsed, in Marcia’s heart, only by one other day…..while playing golf at Sunset Hills (her favorite course), with the “Dilly Girls” group, she was told she was going to be a mother.

Marcia poured her unconditional love and unending attention onto cherished son Kevin, all these 66 years – caring for, delighting in, thanking God for Kevin, each and every day. Her unexpected miracle.

Moving around as a small family, Marcia adopted new friends and kept old ones close. Once in her circle of loved ones, you were there for life. Settling in New Orleans (Go Saints!), Marcia reveled in the spicy spirit of that city for 20 years, before the untimely loss of her husband Virgil.

Returning then to her hometown, comforted by the care of family, Marcia rebuilt her life with purpose & prayer & play, and most importantly, dear son Kevin. Marcia thought 30 years too short to work at Monge (now Leman) Property Management, as an assistant property manager of the Sunset Hills office. She loved helping others set up their “home-sweet-homes” here in Pekin.

Marcia had a knack for making life beautiful and fun, even through hard times. Whether gardening, gathering with friends for golf or bridge, church services at 1st Methodist (generational family member), canning green tomato relish (another family tradition), traveling (how Norma and her would laugh together), or just spending an ordinary day, Marcia was always the best dressed, brightest spirit.

Unaware of her exceptionalism & can-do streak, Marcia was a care-taker into her mid 90s, a top student at her OT/PT sessions, a maker of beautiful interiors . . . home, life, self.

A woman of strength and warmth, she was so grateful, so grateful for the family she leaned on for support over the decades. Ever sweet (“Thank you, Sweetie!”), she collected loved ones everywhere she was. Drawn by her joy, her charm, herself.

Marcia was a gift. To all of us. Send your thoughts, especially to those she leaves behind – her son Kevin Elliott, her nephew Thomas (Cindy) Monge, nephew Randy (Jackie) Monge, niece Melanie Monge, and nephews James (Sandra) Garls, John (Sharon) Garls, Nieces Marcia (Mark) Prill, Michelle (Jack) Evans & Margaret (Robert) Garls, with cousins Marjorie (Leland) Smalley & Donna (Dick) Sarff.

Please honor Marcia’s giving heart by making a contribution to a charity of your choice.

And please honor Marcia by giving the gift of love and laughter to all those around you.

Until we hug again, Goodbye, sweet, lovely, loving lady. Our dear Marcia Mae.

Please join us at Glendale Memorial Gardens at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, to celebrate Marcia, with a gathering to follow.