Mary Frances Jelliffe

          Mary Frances Jelliffe, age 95, of Harrisburg, Illinois, passed away at 10:40 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2022.

          Mary was born on May 6, 1927, in Palmyra, Missouri, to the late Silas Nease Glisson, Sr. and Fannie Mae Glisson.  Mary was one of seven children.  Mary was preceded in death by both parents and all six of her siblings, Silas Glisson, Jack Glisson, William Marvin Glisson, Charles Glisson, Martha Blair and D. Gary Glisson.

          On July 12, 1950, Mary married Charles Richard (Dick) Jelliffe and they were married 65 years, until he preceded her in death on October 8, 2015.  Mary and Dick (Richard) were actually married in a double wedding at the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois, with Martha Lucian Jelliffe, Dick’s twin sister, and her husband-to-be, George Henry Wirth.

          Mary graduated from the University of Illinois in 1949 and then taught one year in Springfield, Illinois; one year in Urbana, Illinois; and then nine years at the Malan Jr. High School in Harrisburg, Illinois.  Mary taught Social Studies.  She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg where she had served at least two terms as Elder.  While in college, Mary was a member of Chi Omega Sorority.  She was also chosen as the Sweetheart of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

          For over 50 years, she was a member of Alpha Circle in Harrisburg, Illinois.  In addition, Mary was an avid reader and was a 40+ year member of the literary club, a small social group in Harrisburg.  Gardening was another pastime of Mary.  As a member of the Evergreen Garden Club for 30 years, she was very active in various civic landscaping projects.  Mary also enjoyed her membership in the College Club of Saline County.

          Mary is survived by multiple nieces and nephews. 

          Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Stricklin Funeral Home, formerly Reed Funeral Chapel, at 503 East Sloan Street, Harrisburg, Illinois.  An informal Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.  It was Mary’s wishes that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg, Illinois, and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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