Marjorie Beth Kooy

Marjorie Beth Kooy peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

She is survived by her loving husband, James Kooy; children, Heather Waldron, Lisa (Robert) Rudy, Elizabeth Case, and Benjamin Kooy; grandchildren, Amanda, Jacob, Samuel, Anneke, Olivia, Shannon, Madeline, Evan, & Alyssa; sister, Maureen (Robert) Birkett; numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Harriet Norman; mother in-law, Elizabeth Kooy; and daughter, Jill Kooy.

Marj was born June 29, 1949 in the Roseland neighborhood in Chicago, IL and was a 1967 graduate of Illiana Christian High School. On August 30, 1968 she married the love of her life James Kooy, and together they shared 56 years settling in Munster to raise their family where she was an active and proud member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing. Marj was a leader of the women’s Bible study. She then served in leadership at Crossroads Community Church in Schererville.

Marj went on to obtain her Master’s in Divinity at Chicago Theological Seminary and became an ordained pastor. Marj shared God’s love as a chaplain for Hospice of the Calumet Area, counseling at the Chicago Christian Counseling Center, and sharing God’s message at churches. Marj retired from Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL where she was a chaplain for years throughout the hospital. Most meaningful to her were in the NICU with parents and their babies.

Marj enjoyed quilting, gardening, taking trips to Michigan, and creating photo albums. One of her quilts was featured in Better Homes & Gardens. Marj loved her gardens of flowers and was often found outside pruning and caring for her plants. Jim & Marj enjoyed driving through Michigan to see God’s beauty in nature, create memories as far as the upper peninsula, and visit family. She enjoyed researching the history of each branch of the family tree and creating a photo album with facts and photos to commemorate the people who brought this family together.

Marj most loved her time with family and friends. Her spirit of service carried into all her interactions, from welcoming friends over for coffee to having sleepovers with the grandkids. She will be forever loved and someone we strive to be.

A memorial gathering will be held at Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Rd (one block south of Ridge Rd) in Highland, IN, 46322 on April 22, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a memorial service immediately following.

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marjorie Beth Kooy, please visit our floral store.