Margaret Diggelen Obituary

Margaret ("Marge") Van Diggelen passed away peacefully in the care of hospice at the Auberge in Lake Zurich with a niece beside her on June 22, 2025, at the age of 93.
She was born to Etta & Adrian Van Diggelen and lived her childhood in Park Ridge, IL. Her older sister, Rosetta, and younger brother, John, passed before her. She was the beloved sister of her youngest brother, Adrian Van Diggelen (Grace).
Our dear "Auntie Marge" is also survived by nephews: Paul Schlueter III, John Paul Van Diggelen (Sheila) and Eric Van Diggelen (Susan), and nieces: Greta Schlueter, Laurie Schlueter, Pam Cornelison, Trisha Marsh (Marty) and Gaye Van Diggelen (David Antonides). The surviving great nephews are: Nathan Van Diggelen (Kaylee), Jacob Van Diggelen (Anna), Jeremy Cornelison (Liz), Mitchell Marsh, Dylan Antonides (Nicole) and Skylar Antonides, and great nieces: Alison Van Diggelen (fiancé- Michael Pittelli), Jessica Glasscock (Josh), Madison Marsh, and Lauren Van Diggelen. The surviving great-great nephews are: Riley Van Diggelen (Nathan & Kaylee), Lane Glasscock (Jessica & Josh) and Miles Boren (Lauren), and great-great nieces: Nora Van Diggelen (Jacob & Anna), Jada Cornelison (Jeremy & Liz), and Lauren Glasscock (Jessica & Josh). In addition, Marge is survived by a throng of loving and wonderful friends too many to name!
Her adult life was lived mostly in the St. Louis area where she practiced as a psychotherapist. She was a pioneer in education about and treatment of trauma caused by childhood sexual abuse. She was also known for her success in facilitating men's therapy groups. Marge was an activist for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, women's rights, gay rights, and racial justice which led her to participate in demonstrations and marches in various places including Washington D.C. and Selma, AL.
In her free time, Marge enjoyed photography, animals (especially Gibson, Camper and Buddy), traveling, friends, coffee, chocolate, wine, cheese and bread! Many of us were fortunate to share an adventure with Marge- maybe camping and hiking in a National Park, swimming with piranha in the Amazon River, playing in the ocean in FL, exploring Europe, or relaxing in Branson. It is so good to know that she moved peacefully into her next adventure. We'll simply have to wait to hear about it!
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