Marcia McGregor Obituary
Marcia Anderson McGregor, 77, of Spread Eagle, Wisconsin and Surprise, Arizona, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, July 24th.
Marcia Carol, daughter of the late Margaret & Elton Anderson, was born on December 14, 1943 at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, IL. Growing up in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood in a two-flat above her grandparents, she attended North Park Academy and later North Park College and Illinois State, studying education.
In 1964, she married Barrett Clark McGregor of Kingsford, MI, her childhood friend from their summers spent in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. The union was their commitment to a storybook partnership.
Both only children, Barrett and Marcia vowed to fill their home with a flock of their own, their greatest source of joy through their lifetime. Their children, Laura, Jennifer and Anderson, eight grandchildren and two great-grandsons have flourished from their love, faith, and plan for an enduring legacy.
Marcia was a quintessential homemaker - home cooked meals served promptly at 6 PM, orchestrating multiple households with precision, and seamlessly scheduling her active family amidst her own volunteer work and side businesses.
Her fun-loving, gregarious nature placed her in the center of many circles of friends who benefitted from her open door policy and love of entertaining- whether in her home or on her beloved navy blue pontoon boat. If she wasn't opening her home, she was visiting you on her jet ski after shampooing her gorgeous blonde hair, drying her hair in the process.
Seen driving vintage cars to run errands, pick up children from school, or meet friends for dinner and driving a Chris Craft in the annual 4th of July boat parade- Marcia knew how to get around in style- always showing up beautifully put together with her best accessory, that million dollar smile.
Connecting and creating were key to her passions - firing off Swedish pancakes like a copy machine, the tins of baked goods displayed on the counter, tirelessly tending each of her gardens and creating beauty through her keen eye for detail and craft. And wow, did she ever love to SHOP!
Great happiness was found around shared meals. After hours of planning, she enjoyed her place at the head of a table filled with family and dear friends brimming with laughter, plans and stories only silenced by serving that perfect homemade hot fudge sundae.
The home they built to accommodate Barrett's Parkinsons and their growing family remains a beacon of legacy for her family to come together in celebration, care and communion for their lifetimes and those ahead. A home built with foundations of commitment, dedication, hard work and bound with love, endurance and conviction remains abundant with the spirit of their married promise long into the future.
Marcia held numerous leadership roles at her children's schools in Lake Forest, IL; her church in Winnetka, IL and various philanthropic groups over many years. She was an active member of the PEO Chapter CX in Iron Mountain and Chapter ER in Surprise, Arizona; North Park University Alumni Association; The Women's Club of Iron Mountain/Kingsford, The Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes Association, The Spread Eagle Garden & Book Clubs, The Chippewa Club, and many more.
Marcia served on the board of Northern Interstate Financial in Norway, Michigan. She was elected as the bank's first woman officer, assuming Barrett's seat a year after his passing. She held her position until her retirement in 2019.
Her participation in the Parkinson's support group many years after Barrett's death was an ongoing gift, bringing hope and positivity for those caring for loved ones. In recent years, she truly honed her knitting craft- winning awards at the local fair- and joining the local prayer shawl ministry- applying her gifts toward such a loving ministry, one that also wrapped her in comfort during her own illness.
Her final days were spent in the comfort and care of her children at Pine Point. Her wish to return to the home, garden, and lake she loved so dearly, surrounded by family and friends inspired all who encountered her during this final season. A tended legacy of family, love and life continues with her watchful care above.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Almquist & Elton Anderson and her husband Barrett C. McGregor and is survived by their flock: Laura Lynn (David) Hansen, Jennifer Margaret McGregor (Nandan Shah), Anderson Barrett (Holly) McGregor; grandchildren Jana Kathryn (Nathan) Brown, Tyler Rand (Emily) Lund Hansen; Graham Silas, Chase McGregor & Harper Anderson Breidenbach; Tekla Clementine, Filippa Sweetpea & Isla Edelweiss McGregor; and great-grandsons Henry Judah & Raymond Shepherd Brown.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Monday, August 2nd at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford, MI. Visitation will be from 11 am -1 pm, with the memorial service following at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Point Bible Camp in Iron River, MI and First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford, MI.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Marcia McGregor online at http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson Rochon and Nash Funeral Home a Iron Mountain with the arrangements.
