Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also an avid quilter and loved working and lunching with her quilting buddies at St. Philip’s and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Churches. Marilyn served on the board of directors for the Illinois Center for Autism for more than 15 years and continued to support services for those on the autism spectrum throughout her life.
As the mother of nine children, Marilyn was a highly organized and energetic person. One of her favorite sayings was “Better never, than late.” She valued education and constantly encouraged her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews (really anyone who would listen) to be life long learners. She believed that if you don’t use your brain, you’ll lose your marbles. She might have stolen that line from Erma Bombeck who was one of her favorite authors. Marilyn was also an avid reader. Her only regret was that she didn’t get to take shop classes in high school because she always wanted to learn carpentry so that she could make her own furniture.
Marilyn was preceded in death by one son, Carl G. Fournie; one daughter, Patricia Fournie Thayer; one granddaughter, Jessica Hatcher; two grandsons, David Hatcher and Winston Fournie; her father, Carl Schaefer; her mother, Lillian, nee Quirin, Schaefer Weber; and one brother in infancy.
Surviving are her husband of 64 years, Paul F. Fournie, whom she married on August 23, 1952;
three sons, Fred P. (Jane) Fournie of Belleville, IL,
Nicholas G. (Mary) Fournie of Belleville, IL,
and Jeffrey (Heidi) Fournie of Belleville, IL;
four daughters, Lynn E. (Vance) Hatcher of Collinsville, IL,
Beth (Rich) Kwentus of Belleville, IL,
Christine Fournie of O’Fallon, IL,
and Eve (John) Holzemer of Fairview Heights, IL;
ten grandchildren; ten great grandchildren;
one brother, Fred Schaefer of Effingham, IL;
and one sister, Dorothy (John) Parke of Smithton, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Illinois Center for Autism, Fairview Heights, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 to 11a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL.
Private burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
Condolences Left For Marilyn Fournie
With Deepest Sympathy. Hugs and Prayers
Cindy and Jimmy Stivers, Macon, MO, 63552
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Janet and Steve Porter, Leawood, Kansas, 66209
To the Fournie family, so sorry for the loss of your mother and brother this year. I know this is one, two punch to your hearts, may god wrap his arms around you and lift your pain.
Clara Harrison, Lebanon, Il,
We have known the Fournie family for many years. Marilyn & my Mom, Lucy Weissert, quilted together at St. Philip. Nick & Fred both worked on our family farm. Please accept our sympathy in the loss of this special lady.
Carolyn (Weissert) Wottowa, O’Fallon, Ill, 62269
My deepest condolences
Terri J Odom, Imperial, Missouri, 63052
Sorry to read of your moms passig. The nuns had told me earlier. Will miss our beauty parlor chats about”men” I will think of her ebery time I drink my chamomile tea. Hope you all are well.
Margaret Wells, Belleville, IL, 62226