Mary Erickson of Albion died peacefully at her home on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, surrounded by loved ones. She was 69.
A memorial celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 at the Albion First United Methodist Church. A visitation will follow.
Mary (known to many as Mimi) was born on June 12, 1946, in Mondovi, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Newell and Dorothy (Fearer) Erickson.
She is survived by her best friend, partner of 34 years and caregiver, Cheryl Taylor; daughter Nancy (Matthew) Henson; sons Jerry (Beth), David (Cindy), Greg (Jinx), and Dan (Nicola); grandchildren Aaron, Jeffrey, Sailin, Brayden, Avery, Karlee, Nicklaus, Elijah, Micah, Judah, Isaiah, and Sarafina; six great-grandchildren; sisters Susan Claflin and Nancy (Jack) Gillette; cousin Ann (Jake) Delwiche; Scott Taylor (Jennifer) and Abby; and many devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and three of her siblings: Jerald Erickson, Jean (Erickson) Lee, and Newell Erickson Jr.
Mimi helped countless people live happier lives. Throughout her life, she used her artistic and organizing gifts to serve her family, church and community. She loved Albion and was president of the Albion Chamber of Commerce for seven years and served as president of the Edwards County Senior Citizens Board up to the time of her death. She taught Sunday school and served on numerous boards and committees at the Albion First United Methodist Church. She began the Taize service held on the first Thursday of each month. She also, for 10 years, planned and oversaw decorations for the Edwards County High School Dinner Theater.
She played clarinet throughout her life and participated in musical theater and numerous area concert performances. She enjoyed gardening, reading, the arts, all kinds of birds, floppy-eared dogs, oddball recipes and the Green Bay Packers. She was a fearless fixer-upper and mastered just about every trade, from drywalling to roofing to plumbing. She was fascinated by world cultures and treasured the memory of traveling to India with Cheryl and their close friend, Pastor Anet Satvedi. But she also found adventure and hijinks close to home. She found terrific joy in bringing her family and close friends together every year for several days of shared meals, enormous buckets of cookies, raucous water-balloon fights and tangled fishing lines. She wanted everything just right, and nothing was done until it was done to Mimi’s specifications.
A talented artist, “Imagineer,” and co-owner of TJ Marche, with Cheryl, in Albion, Mimi created designs that spread cheer and honored the accomplishments of innumerable sports teams, churches, schools, businesses, organizations and individuals. Many will remember Mimi through her artistic creations, from paintings to one-of-a-kind furniture and decor to clothing slyly commemorating her beloved Packers and their honorary home field, Wanboro Stadium. She left a mark that can’t be erased on all who knew her.
Memorial contributions may be made to Edwards County Senior Center, Albion First United Methodist Church, Animal Buddies of Wabash County, and Hospice of Southeast Illinois.
Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.ingramfh.net.