Marjorie Derrah

Marjorie (Marge) Derrah, nee Hansen, age 90, of Chicago, IL, passed away on December 26, 2022, dear wife of the late Don L. Glasell, devoted daughter of the late Wallace Hansen and Loretta Benzinger Hansen, beloved sister of Jacqueline "Snooky" Bredeson and the late John Hansen, loving mother of William III (Alicia), Christopher and Katherine "Katy"(Terry Edwards) Derrah and stepchildren Gail (Hiram) Gutierrez and Glenn (Pamela) Glasell, cherished grandmother of Alan, Adrian, William IV, John (Valerie), Thomas, Peter, Chantreya Derrah and step-grandchildren Lauren (JP) Byrnes, Brandon Gutierrez, Matthew and Michelle Glasell, dearest great-grandmother of Gwendolin Ramos-Derrah, fond aunt of Erik Hansen, Dan (Janine) Bredeson and the late Laurie (Steven Mack) Bredeson.

Marge earned her RN at Northwestern's Prentiss Memorial Hospital in 1952 and her master's degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois in 1980. She spent her professional career in a variety of nursing positions, ultimately becoming Head of Infectious Disease Control at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights. After her retirement from nursing, she volunteered at Northwestern Memorial Hospital's research library, assisting in the education of new medical personnel. The hospital presented Marge with its Alumni Award in 2002.

Beloved friend and maternal figure to many, Marge inspired family and friends with her keen interest in world affairs, art, and literature. Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin to a family of artists, Marge and her first husband William E. Derrah II lived at various times in California, Germany, Venezuela, and Chicago before settling in Western Springs, IL to raise their family.

In her later years, Marge engaged in a variety of activities including art classes, writing, Tai Chi, and sailing on Lake Michigan with husband Don. She and Don were active members of the Chicago Yacht Club and served at many maritime related functions.

Her family will remember her as a baker of gingerbread houses and Scandinavian crepes each Christmas.

A celebration of Marge's life will take place in the spring of 2023.

Marge was a lifelong environmentalist and devotee of social justice and women's rights causes. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to a cause Marge would support.