Obituary: Marjorie Illig

Marjorie Ann Illig of La Cañada Flintridge, a former professional violinist who was active in her church and in charitable endeavors, died Oct. 1 at Glendale. She was 79.

Illig was founding chairman of the Sacred Heart Elementary School Development Board and chairman of the first Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy gala. She was honored as a Dame of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great and of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and as a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

She was born May 23, 1931 in Santa Paula. As a passionate young violinist, she played with the Los Angeles Jr. Symphony, the L.A. Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as first violinist. She also played professionally with studio orchestras.

In 1955 she married Edward Illig, who survives her. She retired from her career as a musician to raise the couple’s three daughters, Rita, Katherine and Michaela.

Rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada, with Mass of Christian Burial planed for 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8 at the same church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart Elementary School Scholarship Fund, 2109 Sichel St., Los Angeles, CA 90031.