Marjorie Anne Cubbage Sanderson, 68, of Urbana, Illinois, died peacefully at home on Monday, November 2, 2009, surrounded by her family, following a six month illness with cancer. She was born in Anchorage, Alaska on February 22, 1941, to the Reverend Boyd Gilfillan Cubbage, Jr., and Elizabeth Carter Cubbage. She married Ellis William Sanderson, a native of Pike County, Illinois, in the First Presbyterian Church in Herrin, Illinois, on November 9, 1963. Her father officiated the marriage.

Marjorie is survived by husband Ellis of Urbana, son David William Sanderson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and sister-in-law Leta M. Sanderson of Springfield, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her father in 1979, by her sister, Nancy Elizabeth Cubbage, in 1985, and by her mother in 2006. Marjorie attended schools in Crafton, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh), and Herrin, Illinois. She graduated from Herrin High School in 1959 and from the University of Illinois in 1963. Her great ambition was to be a good mother to her son. With that goal achieved, she attended Parkland College and worked part-time from 1981 to 1983 at Tower Hobbies as a computer systems operator.

Marjorie was an accomplished seamstress until the advancement of scleroderma made this activity difficult. She then directed her passion to flower and foliage gardening and she greatly enjoyed tending the many varieties of plants she selected for her flower gardens and houseplants. She loved language, wordplay, classical music, mysteries, and British comedies. She always kept at least one dictionary unencumbered so that she could look up new words, and she kept her many plant books in view at all times. She also enjoyed collecting bells, depression era and cobalt glassware, Fraser Creations miniatures and Belleek pottery pieces.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, where she regularly attended a weekly prayer group. A recent example of her involvement with the church was in helping in the choice of plants and shrubs in the renewal of a courtyard.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, November 23, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church of Urbana. The Rev. Ann Burger and Rev. Dr. Phil Gittings will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Monday at the church and following the services at the church. Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, 602 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.