Marjorie Carlson Yates died in the Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care Center after a struggle with cancer.

She was a longtime resident of Wilmette, moving there in 1941. Marjorie is remembered by her family and friends for her lifelong joy in learning, her pride in her family and her teaching, her love of travel and reading, and her resilient spirit and zest for life. She was born in Rockford in 1916 and grew up in a close family with loving parents. Her grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins all lived close by. On the occasion of the 65th reunion of her Rockford College class, she wrote to her classmates:

"I often look back to those days, filled with so many wonderful memories. I'll never forget my French professor, Lucille Blackfan, chuckling at the story of the little black dog, Noireau, or Dr. Abbott, whose admiration for Sir Thomas More and English history was so inspiring. I remember, too, Dr. Mildred Berry, whose advice to always identify with a group has served me so well throughout my life, and the admonition of Mary Emma Woolley, the President of Mt. Holyoke College, who told us one day in chapel, 'Girls, never tell your age!' I recall how thrilling it was to sit next to Robert Frost on Faculty Porch, chatting like old friends, and to meet and talk with the great Jane Addams. True to Dr. Berry's advice, in the years since I graduated from the University of Illinois (I transferred there after my first two years at Rockford College, and received my B.A. in History in 1937), married and started my family, I have loved my involvement with volunteer and club work, from Infant Welfare to serving on many boards. When my children were grown, I went back to National Lewis University for a Master's degree and had a wonderful teaching career at the Demonstration School there. After retirement, I traveled extensively, and became active in Woman's Club, PEO, AAUW, Church and Garden Club and took Alumnae Continuing Education classes at Northwestern University. I was pleased to be honored as a Super Senior at the North Shore Senior Center for my volunteer work. I am now living in a lovely retirement home and enjoying the activities and friends here. My daughter Jane and her husband Art live close by, and my son John and his wife Johanna live in California. Granddaughter Jessica and her husband Ken, also in California, have blessed me with a lovely great-granddaughter, Kirsten, who is a joy to all of us. Grandson James enjoys California life, too, and is a talented writer and vintner."

Marjorie was the daughter of the late Henry R. and Ebba Carlson. She is survived by her son, John Knight (Johanna), her daughter Jane Knight Dampts (Arthur), her granddaughter Jessica Lofgren (Ken), her grandson James Knight, her great-granddaughter Kirsten Lofgren, her nephews James Burke Carlson and Andrew Burke Carlson, and many close and valued friends. She is pre-deceased by her brother, William H. Carlson and sister-in-law, Jean Burke Carlson.

Interment will be in Rockford next to her parents in Scandinavian Cemetery. A memorial service in memory and celebration of Marjorie's life will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 16 at Mather Place of Wilmette, 2801 Old Glenview Rd., Wilmette. Contributions in memory of Marjorie may be made to Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care Center, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, Illinois 60025.