Marcia Caroline French

Marcia Caroline French, age 96 of Mattoon, Illinois passed away at 2:30 am, Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, Illinois. A graveside service in her honor will be held at 12:00 PM, Friday, September 13, 2024, at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon, Illinois. Reverend Ron Dickinson will officiate. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois 61938 is in charge of services. A celebration of life will be held the same day at 5:00 PM, at Lincoln Log Cabin State Park, Visitor Center, 402 S. Lincoln Highway, Lerna, Illinois 62440. Marcia was born on August 23, 1928, in Canfield, Ohio to the late Laurie Davison and Mabel Ann (Raymond) Brennan. She married Dale W. French on May 29, 1960, in Mattoon, Illinois; he preceded her in death on February 21, 2003. She is survived by two children, Beth A. Kosar and husband Brian of Bailey, Colorado, Thomas D. French of Mattoon, Illinois; four grandchildren: Megan L. Morgan and husband Brian of Chicago, Illinois, Brennan D. Hughes and wife Samantha of Incline Village, Nevada, Lauren C. Hughes of Naples, Florida, Jackson M. Kosar of Bailey, Colorado; nine great-grandchildren: Piper C. Henry, Simon A. Morgan, Harrison D. Hughes, Ethan A. Moss, Colton S. Moss, Elias J. Morgan, Grace C. Hughes, Sienna R. Morgan, and Hannah R. Hughes; She was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. Marcia was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mattoon, Illinois. She served as a Board member and volunteer at Lincoln Log Cabin in Lerna, Illinois. In 1950, Marcia received her Registered Nursing degree from West Suburban College of Nursing in Oak Park, Illinois. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Marion College in Marion, Indiana. Upon graduating from Marion College, she taught nursing at Berea College in the Appalachian Mountains in Berea, Kentucky on a tuition work program. This program had been in place since 1892 and was designed for all students to work off their college tuition. In 1957, she settled in Mattoon, Illinois after accepting an emergency room supervisor position at Mattoon Memorial Hospital. From 1958 to 1961 she established the Licensed Practical Nursing program for Mattoon Community Unit School District 2 adults’ vocational program. She witnessed five classes of students graduate from that program during that time period. Seeing that program come to fruition was one of the greatest rewards of her career. From 1961 to 1964 she worked part time at Mattoon Memorial Hospital. From 1967 until her retirement in 1988, she taught full time in the Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Lake Land College. After her retirement she worked as the nursing supervisor at Newman Hall at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois assisting students with disabilities. Excelling in the crafts of sewing, knitting, and embroidery, she was an amazing seamstress. She planted and maintained luscious flower and vegetable gardens and canned her produce for future use. She delighted in cooking, especially during the Christmas holiday and for any special occasion that would bring the family together. She also enjoyed traveling and visiting relatives and friends. Always happy and full of joy, Marcia’s positive energy was contagious. She was caring and kind, with a huge heart, always willing to lend a helping hand. Family was her heart and soul as she always made each member feel special and loved. Affectionately referred to as Nana, Marcia was an active role model in the lives of her grandchildren and made a profound impact on each of them. As a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she will be lovingly remembered. Memorial donations in her honor may be made to Lincoln Log Cabin, 402 S. Lincoln Highway, Lerna Illinois 62440 or Lake Land College, School of Nursing, 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, Illinois 61938. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.

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Marcia Caroline French

August 23, 1928 - August 27, 2024