Marjorie Elizabeth Willacy passed away the evening of April 24, 2022 of natural causes at a local memory care. She was born on October 31, 1924 to her parents Thomas and Maude Willson of Lomita, California at the family home. Having lived the Great Depression made choices difficult for her. Her mom, Maude, made money by cleaning local houses so that she could give her daughter piano and organ lessons. Later, 1942, “Margie” graduated Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California. She accepted a job offer to be a school clerk that same summer. Not long after she took on this job, Marjorie noticed a young man in the church choir. He seemed to notice her as well. The first meeting of James Willacy, her future husband. Her clerk job peaked her interest in pursuing a career working at an elementary school so she set off to become a teacher by attending Cal State University at Long Beach. Upon graduating, she was offered a teaching position-continuing in that profession for more than 5 decades. Music was a passion for a young Marjorie and her work at school allowed her the opportunity to teach children music appreciation. Events of note during her lifetime: 1945 marrying James Willacy; 1948 building a house with her husband (and his father Tom) that was theirs for 70 years; had two sons in 1954 and 1956; and she was a God fearing woman who used her talents in music to assist in the ministering to several churches that she attended for decades. She is preceded in death by her parents Tom and Maude Wilson, husband James Willacy, 3 sisters (Dorothy, Helen, and Margaret), and 2 brothers (Frank and her twin Howard). Mrs. Marjorie Willacy is survived by 2 sons Thomas and Steven and his wife Rene (Heath) Willacy, 2 grandchildren Miranda (Willacy), Laney, Nathaniel Willacy and his wife Maria (Wood) Willacy, and 2 great-grandchildren Franklin and Eliza Willacy. She will live on through all those that follow her.
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Lori Slavin says
June 21, 2022 at 9:07 pmSo sorry for your loss, may you find peace in this difficult time. She had to be a wonderful person as evidenced by the kind, caring son she raised. May you always remember her with love.
Natalie Martinez-Alvarez says
June 21, 2022 at 9:34 pmI will never forget you! You were my 6th grade teacher and chorus teacher. You were tough and a total badass but I loved everything about who you were. As an adult I realized how much I loved that you didn’t take no crap from other fellow teachers. You were amazing in my eyes and I hope your are resting well! I will never forget you ❤️ I wish I could have told you as a adult how much you meant to me. Your blonde hair, summer dresses and beautiful red lipstick will forever be remembered by me!
Mary Matson, Torrance Memorial Director of Volunteer Services says
July 18, 2022 at 10:55 amThank you for sending us a copy of Marjorie’s memorial service program. I remember her playing piano here at Torrance Memorial. We enjoyed having her in our volunteer program. Our condolences to the family.