Marjorie was called home to Jesus on the morning of July 24, 2023, with family by her side at Methodist Medical Center. She was born in Dallas, IA (Now Dallas-Melcher, IA) on September 7, 1931, to Benjamin and Bessie (Maggard) Phoenix.
Visitation will be held at Ankeny Funeral Home, 1510 W. First St, Ankeny, IA from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Ave, Des Moines, IA with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery.
The day Marjorie was born, the angels must have sung praises to God for this beautiful child. Her smile and demeanor spoke of kindness and care for everyone, including her husband and children that she loved dearly. You could not help being drawn to her sweet smile.
At the age of two, Marjorie lost much of her hearing to a serious illness, and because of this challenge, Marjorie attended Smouse Elementary School starting at the age of four. During her childhood and adolescents, she learned to play the piano, which she enjoyed tremendously. After Smouse, she entered Tech High School where she studied not only normal studies but also learned the skills to become a commercial artist. Her artistic talents led her to work with a book bindery in Des Moines, IA where she worked to make book covers until shortly after she was married.
On May 2, 1953, she was married to Thomas Morrissey with whom she had six children, including the baby (David Lee) they lost to a birth defect at the age of 5 days in 1958. Marjorie and Thomas made their home in Des Moines, IA in the Highland Park area, and belonged to All Saints Catholic Church. Marjorie was a homemaker and mother who did her best and sacrificed much to raise two boys and three girls.
Throughout her life, Marjorie spread her artistic talent to painting and sewing. She also enjoyed playing Solitaire, find-a-word puzzles, and 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles either alone or with the help of family and friends who were drawn into the game. She also loved to watch movies and spend time with her family and friends.
Her family and friends love her dearly and will miss her more than words can say.
Marjorie is survived by her surviving children, Joesph Morrissey, Melissa Morrissey, and Lisa Morrissey. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Tashema, Lucia, Jay, and Joe, and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Pearl, Wayne, Don, and Jessie, her husband Thomas, and three of her children, Dwight Leo Morrissey, David Morrissey, and Theresa (Morrissey) Roberts.
Flowers are welcome. Any Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: www.stjude.org. Please visit www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for the Morrissey family.
PALLBEARERS
Greg PhillipsPallbearer
Joe MorrisseyPallbearer
Melissa MorrisseyPallbearer
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