Margaret M. "Maggie" Parker, 80, of Tuscola, IL, passed away at 7:40 am, Thursday, March 17, 2011 at the Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL

A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, 201 East Van Allen Street, Tuscola, IL with Father Barry Harmon as celebrant. Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL is handling the arrangements.

Maggie was born on September 26, 1930 in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of William and Martha Marie Griffith Hyden. She married Richard "Dick" Parker on April 11, 1953 in Wilmington, Delaware. He preceded her in death on February 12, 1994.

Survivors include her son: Mike (Linda) Parker of Westmont, IL, daughters: Kerrie (Todd) Wilkerson of Missouri City, TX, Kelly (Randy) Vermilye of Westland, MI, 4 grandchildren: Jacob Vermilye, Cassidy Vermilye, Kimberly Parker and William Parker, brother: Jack Hyden of Buffalo, NY

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son: William Parker

Maggie earned her graduate degree with honors from the University of Illinois and then began her 20 year career with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. She helped and impacted the lives of many children in the Central Illinois area. She was a former reporter for the Tuscola Review, often referred to as "Scoop Parker".

She was a member of the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, Douglas County Museum Association and she volunteered at BETH's Place.

Memorials are suggested to the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church

Online condolences to the family may be sent to hilligossshraderfh.com