Marjorie M. Hegener, 88; A Corpus Christi Founder

Marjorie Mabie Hegener, a former 51-year resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 27. She was 88, and had lived in Claremont the past four-and-a-half years. Born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Marjorie moved with her husband Joe to Pacific Palisades in 1950. They were founding members of Corpus Christi Catholic Church the following year. Actively involved in a variety of Catholic Church-related philanthropic activities, Marjorie was a lifelong member of the Holy Communion Guild and with her daughters was active in the National Charity League. She served for many years as secretary of the Dunning Foundation and had a longtime devotion to the Sisters of the Social Service and to their mission among the poor. She served with both the Juniors of the Social Service and the Social Service Auxiliary in virtually every office and was a driving force behind the annual Presentation Ball, where both of her daughters and five of her granddaughters were presented. A member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and a Dame in the Knights of Malta, Marjorie was sustained in her life by her unwavering trust in God and by her heartfelt motto of ‘Faith, Family and Friends Forever.” She was honored with the ‘Spiritus” award by the Social Service Auxiliary in 2002. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph L. Hegener, who passed away in 1988. Survivors include her son Paul J. (Pete) Hegener and his wife Denise of Vero Beach, Florida; daughters Mary Jo Bernard (husband John) of Salida, Colorado, and Susan Parrish (husband John) of Smith Mountain, Lake Virginia; and her brother Dr. Richard Mabie (wife Kitty) of Claremont. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. There will be a Rosary said for Marjorie at 7 p.m. on March 21, at the Claremont Chapel, 325 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont, and the funeral service on March 22 at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Claremont. Immediately following the funeral service, she will join her beloved husband at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marjorie’s memory will be welcomed by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.