Marian Middleton

Marian Middleton May 1926 to May 2023 "Joys Soul Lies in the Doing" Shakespeare Positive, inspiring, energetic and a doer in life, these are the words to describe Marian. She loved her family and friends, passing away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family, whom loved and revered her. She completely adored and admired her late husband, Mickey. Marian and Mickey were a solid team who supported each other and their entire family. Marian enjoyed sports, especially tennis, golf, and watching the Cubs, Bears and her beloved Chicago Blackhawks. She spent many hours enjoying the arts, theatre, music, reading, nature and travel. The best mix was to see them all while traveling in Chicago or abroad and sharing the joy of events with cherished family and friends. She was a supporter and believed in higher education for all her children, grandchildren, and all she could inspire! Every one of her children and grandchildren graduated from university with a Bachelor of Science/or Arts undergraduate degree. She believed in educating up to the highest possible level. A favorite experience was attending every, and I mean every, concert or game her own children and grandchildren played in; she loved every sport and loved her family being a part of teams. In that same spirit, Marian loved the constant concerts and events her children and grandchildren participated in. The youngest grandchildren played violin, starting at the age of five, then participated in the Geneva Community High School Orchestra and "Gram" attended every single concert. In fact, she would say, "this is my Chicago Symphony Orchestra, right here in Illinois!" Her favorite colleges and universities were where all of us attended; Carthage College (Marian), Northern Illinois University (Mickey), Hobart and William Smith (Lee), Duke (Cooper), Indiana University (Jessica), University of Iowa (Deb), Drake (Nancy), University of Colorado, Boulder (Ford), (favorite mascot was Ralphie the CU Boulder Buffalo), University of Denver (Seth), Colorado School of Mines (Davis). Marian at the age of 90, traveled with her daughter Deb and grandson Seth up the Cog Railroad to visit Pikes Peak, and from there she visited her highest mountain top with family! This is where "America the Beautiful" was inspired, like Marian, it was amazing. She was inspired by good deeds and memorable places and then, she would inspire others to reach their lofty goals for education, and building careers. Her favorite city was Chicago, and her favorite towns were Princeton and Geneva, Illinois. Always active in the communities she lived in and had an active career as well. Her favorite books were Seven Stairs, by Stuart Brent, and Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown. Her favorite Broadway play was "Mamma Mia" and any Shakespeare play in the park hosted and performed by Festival 56 in Princeton, Illinois. Marian always thanked her youngest daughter for taking her traveling to Europe in 1982, and from that point forward she traveled with family and friends outside the United States. Her favorite destinations; London (especially for the arts) Paris, Vancouver (where her older daughter Nancy lived for a while), Bath, Avignon, Amsterdam, Rothenburg, Vienna, Lucerne, Singapore, Bali, Tokyo. She loved traveling with Mickey and her family, and friends: never tired of experiencing new cultures. She made friends easily and enjoyed visitors from other countries and other parts of America. Her inspiring character was always present meeting new friends. She filled her life with volunteerism and working as support staff at the courthouse, and Middleton Financial, with her husband. Her volunteer projects were diverse and numerous, these were the main efforts; from President of Hospital Auxiliary, Scheduling Candy Stripers at Perry Memorial Hospital, Campfire Girls Leader, United Methodist Church playing the piano for the school children. Geneva Garden Club, and several bridge clubs throughout life. Marian was a part of a couples Bridge Club and she built wonderful, lifelong friendships, she also played Bridge at GGC in Geneva, Illinois, where she lived next to family. Marian was positive throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and loved the music each Sunday she attended. Marian was a member of Farm Bureau. Her years growing up on a farm outside Manlius, were filled with joyous times with family. She attended a one room school house until high school. Marian avidly read books and the Wall Street Journal her entire life, and loved reading as a pastime. She was proceeded in death by her husband Mickey of 50 years, her oldest daughter, her parents, and her brother. Survived by youngest daughter, Debra, her husband Tom Dickinson, grandchildren, Davis (Golden,Colorado), Seth (Geneva IL), Lee (wife Stephanie) NYC, Ford (Chicago), Cooper (wife Liz) NYC, Jessica (Louisville), and great-grandchildren, Parker, Liam, and Colin as well as numerous friends. A private concert will be held in Marian's honor, as music and the arts were her passion. Memorials may be directed to either music department; the First United Methodist Church of Princeton, IL or United Methodist Church of Geneva, IL. Online condolences may be directed to www.norbergfh.com Arrangements by Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments.

Marian Middleton

May 16, 1926 - May 16, 2023