Obituary: Marjorie Kibby

Marjorie Kibby, a Northern Nevada resident for most of the last 40 years of her life, died peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 in Reno. She was 68. Marge was born on June 26, 1941 in Evansville, Ind., to Wilbert and Florence Craig. She was raised in Fairfield, Ill. and attended area schools before graduating from Fairfield Community High School in 1959. She went on to earn a Bachelor's of Science degree in Recreation from Southern Illinois University in 1974.

Following her undergraduate work, Marge later went on to complete training in the nursing field and pursued one of her life's callings by working at Saint Mary's Hospital in Reno from 1967 to 1987. She later moved to Carson City, where she lived for most of her last 22 years.

Marge touched the lives of all she met, spreading joy with her positive demeanor, welcoming smile, and graciousness toward all. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed taking long walks. She is greatly missed by family and friends in both her native Illinois and her adopted home state of Nevada.

Marge is survived by her son Duke, his wife Kristin, and grandchildren Matthew and Alexander; brother, Bill and wife Lila of Colorado Springs, Colo.; niece Sandy and nephews James and David; and great-nieces and great-nephews Jonathan, David, Joshua, Matthew, Hannah and Tristan. She was preceded in death by first husband Jack Ritenhouse of Reno and second husband John Kibby of Burley, Idaho, with whom she shared many adventures both in Carson City and Idaho.

On Marge's behalf, the family would like to thank the wonderful hospice caretakers whom she met over the past two years. She was grateful for their support during her courageous battle against cancer.

A celebration of Marge's life is scheduled for 4 p.m. today at Walton's Funeral Home, 875 West Second Street, Reno. The family requests that memorial donations be made in Marge's name to Saint Mary's Hospice of Northern Nevada Foundation (18653 Wedge Parkway, Reno, NV 89511).