Marjorie Louise Humes

Marjorie Louise Humes passed away peacefully on July 22 after a long illness. Marge was born November 27, 1931, in Neoga, Illinois, to Nora and Morton Lindley, the third of their ten children. In a home with one bedroom and no indoor plumbing, Marge learned a home is made of love, not material things.

When her high school sweetheart, Jerry Humes, enlisted in the Navy, Marge followed him to California for marriage, where they made their first home in a rented sun-porch in San Diego. The Navy took them to Seattle, Long Beach, and back to San Diego. Their first child, Jackie, brought joy and companionship to Marge when Jerry was out at sea. When he was discharged, they settled in Long Beach and then Westminster, adding a son, Greg, and another daughter, Carol.

Before Greg was born, Marge’s sister, Doris, moved to California, and the two sisters raised their families together. They enjoyed a lifelong friendship far from their rural hometown, but deeply grounded in the love they learned there. Summers were full of visits from Illinois family, which meant lots of fun for everyone. Marge served as cook, laundress, sister, and friend. She loved those summer visits.

Westminster School District was the site of most of Marge’s career, first as an instructional aide, and then as a secretary. Computers were new and Marge was more interested in children than technology, but she mastered her Apple 2e like a pro. As with other challenges she would face, Marge quietly and diligently figured it out.

Marge’s greatest joy was her family. From her large family in Illinois to the family she and Jerry created, Marge was generous in love and care. She cooked, cleaned, gardened, chauffeured, and all the other tasks that keep a family going, and she did it with joy. Her love was unwavering, and we all knew it.

As a grandma, she made picnics in the backyard, played games and puzzles, and taught her grandchildren how to make some of her recipes. She kept the U.S. Postal Service busy with her notes to grandchildren, commending them for their achievements or just reminiscing about a fun time they shared together. Marge avoided being in the limelight, but she was the quiet steady light that we all needed.

Marge loved all the holidays, but especially Christmas. December found her decorating the house and yard, making cookies for neighbors and friends, sending cards to her friends and family. She remembered the Christmases of her childhood when gifts were sparse, but love was abundant. In her own home, she was generous with both gifts and love, but what mattered most was the love.

When aging began to take its toll, Marge and Jerry wanted to be closer to their daughters and to Doris. Sad to leave their home of 50 years, they bravely made a new home in Upland. Even in old age, Marge was a good neighbor and friend, inviting the boys next door over for word searches, listening to the woes of whoever dropped in, and keeping her candy jar full of M & Ms.

Marge’s greatest love was her Jerry. She leaned on him, enjoyed him, and cared for him well. They enjoyed camping in their motorhome, time with family, and, mostly, just being together. Five days short of their 72nd wedding anniversary, with Jerry holding her hand, Marge passed away peacefully at their home.

Marge is survived by her husband, Jerry, three children and their spouses: Jackie (Raul) Espinoza, Greg Humes (Linda Gallico), Carol (Dan) Lundberg, two sisters and three brothers, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, if would like to make a donation, we suggest St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Strong Beginnings Early Learning Center, a nonprofit organization serving low-income families in Mom’s hometown of Neoga, IL. Please see links under donations below for more details.