Marjorie A. (Wiley) McClow

Marjorie A. McClow (nee Wiley) “Marge” of Glen Ellyn, age 92, passed away July 14, 2025. She was born on the south side of Chicago. As a young adult she worked in Chicago and was active in AYH (American Youth Hostels) sailing in Lake Michigan and skiing in Europe. In 1962, she married Robert McClow. They bought their first (of many) house in Glen Ellyn and started a family. They joined the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn. Marge joined the Presbyterian Women’s Club, Junior Women’s Club and started her collection of lifelong friends.

When Bob’s job took the family to El Paso, Texas, Marge embraced Texas life hosting parties in their big backyard and signing all 3 kids, even the then 4 year old, up for swim team at the YMCA. Twelve years of being a swim team mom followed, with Marge driving countess carpools, volunteering to officiate swim meets, and work in the concession booth. She took up ceramics and made everyone in the family a set of hand painted Christmas ornaments.

A few years later Bob’s job took the family to Norwalk, Connecticut. Marge loved having friends and family visit and taking them to New York City and every historical site in New England. With the kids in school she started working at the historic Silvermine’s Tavern gift shop. Her children enjoyed walking to the tavern to visit mom at work because there was a counter of old fashioned candy in the gift shop and sticky buns in the restaurant.

In 1978 the family returned to Glen Ellyn and Marge picked up where she left off with her friends, church and clubs. She worked as a receptionist at the Glen Ellyn Clinic’s Urgent Care and was active in the BR Ryall YMCA swim team parents organization.

In 1988 Bob’s job took them to Phoenix, Arizona. With their youngest away in college Marge dusted off her golf clubs and became an avid golfer. She joined multiple golf leagues and volunteered as an official at professional golf tournaments. At Pro-Am tournaments she would meet famous musicians and actors. Afterward she would call her kids to ask if she had heard any of their songs or watched any of their movies.

As much as they loved Phoenix once the grandchildren arrived Marge and Bob could not resist returning to Glen Ellyn, again, in 2007 to be grandparents. Once again Marge picked up where she left off rejoining her bridge group and gourmet club. She became a regular at Glen Ellyn Village Links and continued to attend professional golf tournaments in the area.

Marge and Bob loved to travel. They enjoyed visiting golf courses around the world, taking river cruises and visiting friends. With their family spread around the country they bought a time share in Marge’s beloved Door County and every year during the third week of June they gathered their kids and grandchildren in Fish Creek to play on the beach, eat ice cream and ride bikes.

Marge was proceeded in death by Bob, her husband of 54 years. She is survived by her sons, Kenneth McClow of Granite Falls, WA, and Keith (Teresa) McClow of Lombard, IL, her daughter, Heather McClow of Davidson, NC and her grandchildren Evan and Alison McClow, as well as by her brother, John Wiley, niece, Dawn Yanahan, and a large extended family.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Brookdale Senior Living in Glen Ellyn for their kind and compassionate care over the past 5 years.

Family assisted with arrangements by Leonard Memorial Home, Glen Ellyn, IL (630-469-0032).

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