Margaret Jennings

It is with a well-stirred gin and tonic that we toast the life of Margaret Ann Jennings of Springfield, IL.  What’s not to love about a woman who loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as much as she loved gin, antiques, and her flower garden.  She passed away peacefully on January 28, 2021 after a battle with lung cancer.

She was born in Baylis, IL on May 30, 1934 daughter of George and Alice (Doane) Seybold. She graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1951 and resided in Jacksonville and Springfield, IL. She worked as a school secretary at Our Saviour Grade School in Jacksonville, and in 1971 she entered politics and was elected the first woman alderman. She worked for the state of Illinois as a service officer in the Department of Veterans Affairs in both Jacksonville and Springfield.  She was a member of  St. Mary‘s Catholic Church in New Berlin, and for 15 years she was a Samaritan at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Her greatest hobby was buying, selling, and collecting antiques.  Her booth at The Village Shoppes in Springfield is still full of terrific bargains.

She will be missed dearly by her four daughters: Jackie (Phil) Harris, Cindy (Jerry) Johnson, Mendy (Bob) Heaps, and Penny (Dan Durham) Villalva, her 11 grandchildren, and her 22 great grandchildren. Our hearts are broken, but we truly believe she is in a much better place.

Please join us for a celebration of Ann’s life at Our Saviour Church in Jacksonville on February 5th. A walk-through visitation will be held from 9:30 until the funeral mass at 11:30.  A happy hour will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall after the service until 4:00PM. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the St. John’s Samaritans in Springfield, IL. Arrangements are being handled by  Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi, IL assisted by Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville, IL. Online condolences may be left at stendebackfamilyfuneralhome.com