Margery Parchem

Margery Meyer Parchem was an incredible woman who was known for her compassion, intelligence and love for family and friends. She was full of life and energy and lit up every room with her smile. Margery passed away on March 25, 2022, at the age of 93, only 17 days after her beloved husband, John.  She did not want to live in a world without him.  They shared almost 73 years together, demonstrating love and commitment despite all odds. Even after 72 years of marriage, they held hands and sang each other love songs. She was the matriarch of our family, raising a family of nine, instilling in all of us the importance of family being together, supporting each other, playing together, and sharing joy and laughter. When her mother died young, Margery took in her sister until she married and her father until he passed 77 years later. In every aspect of life, she did above and beyond the “norm”. As a mother she sewed our clothes, chauffeured all of us and the neighborhood kids to the pool and activities, cooked amazing meals nightly, was brownie leader and den mother, dragged us to the library weekly where we all came out with stacks of books. She instilled in her children the importance of education and lifelong learning, reading books daily and sharing with all of us her love for reading. Her motto was “too many books, too little time”. Her legacy is nine children who finished college and went on to successful careers they loved, 19 grandchildren who went to college, most achieving master’s and doctorate degrees, and another granddaughter who channeled her grandmother by starting a successful business. Her oldest great grandchild started college this year.  When her youngest child went to school, Margery went back to college and earned a degree in accounting at Indiana University. In 1969, she was hired as secretary at Tri-Union Express, Inc., went on to buy the business, expanded it into a larger business that is still in the family. She broke barriers as a woman in trucking, pushing to get contracts with the steel mills, some who confessed later at her retirement that they never thought she’d last beyond six months. She was loved by her truck drivers and throughout the region many knew the legend of Miss Marge. Margery lived life to the fullest.  Until her 90’s she did daily runs, Zumba, swam with the “Swimmin’ Wimmin” at Fitness Point, golfed in leagues at Briar Ridge and Cross Creek. She competed with her children and grandchildren on Fitbit, making sure she stayed steps ahead, averaging 15,000 steps a day. Margery loved throwing parties and socializing with friends, going to plays, dinners and cocktails. Always with a glass of wine in hand, laughing, telling stories, dancing, and singing. She traveled the world with friends and family reaching every continent except Antarctica.  She was a strong woman who raised strong daughters and sons and demonstrated that there was nothing a woman couldn’t do. A highlight for her was casting a vote for Hillary Clinton reminding us that woman couldn’t vote when she was born and that it was possible in her lifetime to vote for a woman for president.  Her last years of life was marred by Lewy Body dementia, but she remembered all of us, she lit up with a smile when we arrived, she sang love songs with my father and her personality emerged throughout her decline. Margery lived her life with grace and joy, spreading her warmth to all who came within her circle.

Margery was preceded in death by her beloved husband John and her daughter Sandy (Terry) McCoy. She was survived by her loving children Karen (Eric) Corbman, Debby Parchem, John (Barbara Lycett) Parchem, Patricia (Candace Zimmerman) Parchem, Joan (Steve) Joyce, Sue (Hal) Carruthers, David (Jan) Parchem and Janet (Don) Bowen, her sister Joan Brew, 20 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She loved them all deeply. Family will be holding a private service later.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Share Foundation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation or to a charity of your choice.

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