Marion Smith McGeath,
82, formerly of Lincoln, died on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at 5:50
a.m. at Heritage Manor in Normal.
Her funeral was Monday
morning, Dec. 30, at Holland and Barry Funeral Home in
Lincoln, with the Rev. Raymond Hudson officiating. Visitation
preceded the service.
Burial is in
Zion Cemetery, Lincoln.
Mrs. McGeath was a
psychologist in private practice in Springfield from 1981 until she
retired in 1999 after a long professional career. She worked at the
Chicago Reed Mental Health Center from 1976 to 1981. She had served
as dean of students and director of counseling service at Redlands
University in California and as professor of psychology at Lincoln
Land Community College, Illinois College and the University of
Illinois.
She was born Dec. 21,
1920, in Lincoln to Arthur C. and Lucille Scott Smith. She married
Marion Earl McGeath in 1941. He died June 16, 1999.
Surviving are two
daughters, Carol (and Thomas) Burma of Yorba Linda, Calif., and
Sharon (and Larry) Wyatt of Bloomington; five grandchildren, Larry
Wyatt, Kristin Burns Allison, Scott Wyatt, Bryan Burns and Richard
Wyatt; and four great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded
in death by one son, Richard.
A gifted musician and
music teacher, she sang and played the piano for the choir at the
First Methodist Church in Lincoln and at various community programs.
She held offices in the Carillon Society and Women's Symphony in
Springfield and the American MENSA Association.
She earned a
bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in clinical and
counseling psychology from Illinois State University. She received
her doctorate in educational and counseling psychology from the
University of Illinois.
Dr. McGeath was
honored by Kappa Delta Pi for outstanding contributions to education
and was included in the "Who's Who in American Women" for
demonstrating outstanding achievement in her field. In 1996 she
obtained diplomate designation as a board-certified forensic
examiner clinical psychologist.
She spent most of her childhood in
Lincoln, where she met her husband. They celebrated 58 years
together. Family gatherings, music and education occupied a
significant part of her life.
