Marguerite June Tillquist

Marguerite peacefully passed away on November 8, 2015 at home with her family at her side. She was born on June 1, 1927 with her fraternal twin, Virginia (Ginna). She, Ginna, and her younger brother, David, were raised by their mother (Ruth Moore) and grandparents (Maude and Pa Hermann). Ruth was a school teacher. Marguerite’s grandparents lived with the family, with Pa providing an additional source of income to the family. Marguerite lived during the Great Depression and was raised in the Seventh Day Adventist church. That meant no dancing, card playing, or drinking. Maude raised the children with a firm but gentle hand while Ruth and Pa worked. Twins were considered uncommon and Ruth dressed Marguerite and Ginna alike for years. On weekends, Ruth would take the children for a walk to “showoff” her girls. Marguerite and Ginna shared the same bed until Ginna was married. It wasn’t until high school that they were put in separate classrooms. Marguerite didn’t learn to drive until after she was married. Marguerite and Ginna were exceptional tennis players in high school and won the state championship as a double team. Gina was left-handed and Marguerite was right-handed. They frequently played at the nearest courts, located in Washington Park. She played tennis with quite a few people, including Bob (Howard Robert) Tillquist. Bob took her out for a malt at the soda shop, something Marguerite had never experienced before. That was the beginning of Marguerite’s relationship with her future husband. World War II came along and Bob joined the Navy, while Marguerite and Ginna stayed home attending high school. Graduation pictures show a class of almost all girls. As the war ended, Marguerite headed to college at Denver University. Bob came back having worked on the new technology of radar during his deployment in San Diego. He studied mathematics and received a MS in actuarial science. He joined Mountain Bell and was later transferred into Bell Laboratories, one of the leading “think tanks” of its time. By then, Marguerite and Bob decided to get married. Bob and Marguerite were married on March 17, 1951. Marguerite was the consummate stay-at-home mother. She loved cooking because it was the time when the family was together. She sewed all of her own clothes and many clothes of her children. She always had time to be a friend to her neighbors, often playing and hosting bridge clubs. She remained in contact with her many friends even when she or they moved away. Marguerite grew up in a religious household and she actively participated in, and lead many, Bible studies. The house was her family’s sanctuary and was always immaculate. She was an avid reader, curious about the world, and filled her home with the thousands of books she read. She believed in kindness, that hard work was an essential virtue and necessary for good character, and, although the world could be harsh, she believed in the possibility of goodness. She participated in everything that her children did, whether it was building a fort of sticks in backyard, hiking with them in the mountains, or attending many school sporting events, but most often this meant simply being with them, to listen to their stories and to talk to them about anything and everything. Marguerite and Bob had four children: Howard Robert II (Bob), Neil Leslie, John Joseph, and Heidi. Bob graduated from CSU’s veterinary school, married Paula Chandler, and moved to Jerome, Idaho. Neil graduated from CU’s school of law, married Karen Hart, and they live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. John is a professor at the University of California at Riverside. Heidi attended CSU and became an environmental toxicologist, married Charles Johnson and live in Fort Collins, Colorado. Bob Sr., Marguerite’s husband, passed away in April 2010. He suffered from Alzheimer’s prior to his death. After her husband’s death, Marguerite moved in with Heidi and Charles. and later moved into a senior apartment complex. Marguerite has always been an extremely intelligent and caring person. Her self-effacing modesty and true interest in others has always drawn people to her. Shortly before her death, doctors found she had cancer. She passed away with Heidi, Bob and Neil with her at her side. She was the person we all wish we could be.

Marguerite June Tillquist

June 1, 1927 - November 8, 2015