Marjorie Ann ILLIG

ILLIG, Marjorie Ann The Lord gained another angel as Marjorie Ann Illig died suddenly Friday evening, October 1, 2010 at Glendale Memorial Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Rita Knapp, grandson Patrick Michael Liebelt and son-in-law Robert Randall (Randy) Bush. She is survived by her devoted husband of fifty-five years, Edward Michael Illig; her three daughters Rita Illig Liebelt, Katherine Schneider and Michaela Bush; her two sons-in-law Klaus Liebelt and Charles Schneider; and her grandchildren Adam, Megan and Anna Liebelt, John Schneider, and Dylan and Rachel Bush. Marjorie was born May 23, 1931 in Santa Paula, CA to Rita and Edward Knapp as a fourth generation Californian. Raised on a chicken farm until moving to Los Angeles in 1941, Marjorie found her passion in the violin. She played with the Los Angeles Jr. Symphony, and professionally with the studio orchestras, Huston Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as a first violinist. Marjorie was the youngest person to enter under contract with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She met the love of her life, Edward Illig, in September 1953 and they married June 11, 1955. After fifteen years of professional violin playing, Marjorie retired to raise her three daughters: Rita, Katherine and Michaela, and to become active in her St. Bede Parish community.
Although she never attended Catholic school, Marjorie was dedicated to Catholic education as evidenced by her role as Founding Chair of the Sacred Heart Elementary School Development Board and Chair of the first GALA at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. Marjorie's strong faith and her drive to help others led her to become actively involved in various charitable organizations including Sisters of Social Services Auxiliary, and she was particularly devoted to the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. She was honored for her faith and service as a Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, a Dame of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and as a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Marjorie Ann Illig of La Canada-Flintridge, Friday, October 8th at 10 a.m. at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church located at 215 Foothill Blvd., La Canada-Flintridge, Ca 91011. Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, D.D., V.G. will officiate. Interment will follow at San Fernando Mission Cemetery. Rosary service will be held Thursday, October 7 at 7 p.m. At St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Elementary School Scholarship Fund at 2109 Sichel St., Los Angeles, Ca 90031. Cabot & Sons Funeral Directors is handling arrangements, (626) 793-7159. Please share thoughts and memories at www.cabotandsonsfh.com.