TIBBETTS, Marguerite A., age 100

Died: Friday, November 3rd, 2023

Services are being planned for a later date.

Interment: Neillsville City Cemetery, Neillsville, Wisconsin

Memorials in memory of Marguerite would be welcome to either:
First Congregational United Church of Christ - Eau Claire https://firstucceauclaire.org/,
the Neillsville Public Library https://neillsvillepubliclibrary.org/,
Lawrence University https://www.lawrence.edu, or
Azura Memory Care-Eau Claire (for the benefit of the staff; 4811 Bullis Farm Road, Eau Claire, WI  54701).

Marguerite Anne Tibbetts, age 100, of Eau Claire, died peacefully on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Azura Memory Care in Eau Claire listening to Mozart on her headphones.

Marguerite was born on October 23, 1923 to the late Frank E. and Frances (Hogg) Brown in Neillsville, Wisconsin. She grew up in Neillsville before graduating from Lawrence University in 1944 which is where she met her husband, Bob. She later took graduate courses in Library Science at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

On November 9, 1945, Marguerite married Bob at her parent's home in Neillsville. In February, 1947, the couple moved to Beloit where they both went to work at Fairbanks Morse Company. They lived and worked in Beloit until they moved to Eau Claire in 1989 to be closer to family and their cottage on the Chippewa Flowage.

While in Beloit, Marguerite worked at the Public Library once the kids could take care of themselves. She loved music, especially singing for over 40 years in the First Congregational Choir in Beloit and then in Eau Claire, serving as Alto soloist for much of that time. 

She and Bob enjoyed genealogical research which took them on many trips searching cemeteries and courthouses throughout the country. She was a member of the Eau Claire Chapter of DAR. Marguerite honored those who came before her and those of us who follow. For many years she was a member of a wonderful Eau Claire quilting group making numerous beautiful quilts for the family.

Marguerite loved to travel. We often said "if you open the car door, she'll get in." She traveled to Alaska, China (at age 81), the British Isles (8 times) and multiple times to Germany and Hungary. She was a complex woman with a very dry sense of humor, which was only enhanced as she got older.

She had a love for dogs, especially Shelties and Border Collies, and considered them the best companions in life. She lived to read and later when she could no longer see well, she listened to books on tape for hours.

Reaching the age of 100 was an important goal for Marguerite. On October 23, 2023, Marguerite's family and her Azura community hosted a well-attended 100th birthday celebration for her which she enjoyed immensely.

Marguerite is survived by daughter, Pamela Tibbetts (Linda Ellwein); sons, Charles (Eva) Tibbetts and Robert (Ye) Tibbetts; grandchildren, Philip Tibbetts, Rebecca Tibbetts, Amy Ellwein, and Patrick (Rachel) Ellwein; many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, and her favorite sister, Joan Bodamer.

The family wishes to express their gratitude and thanks for the wonderful care given to their mother by the staff with HomeInstead, at Azura Memory Care and with Mayo Clinic Health System - Home Health and Hospice.