Margaret S. Tennant, age 95, of Benton, Illinois entered into eternal rest peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Fifth Season Residential in Benton. She was born on April 2, 1924 in Dakota, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Semancik) Blazek.
Margaret married Richard A. (Pete) Tennant on July 5, 1947 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Fairmont, West Virginia. They celebrated 64 years of marriage. Pete preceded her in death, passing away on Valentine’s Day 2012.
Their union was blessed with five children: Richard Jr. (Pamela) of Crestview, FL; Deborah Clark of Benton, IL; Terry (Wesla) of Benton, IL;
Dan (Kristine) of Carmel, IN; and Doug of Benton, IL.
She is survived by six grandchildren: Janae Tennant, Keri Tennant, Rebekah Tennant, Leigh Ann (Matt) Thomas, Christopher (Chelsie) Clark, and Elizabeth Clark (Ido) Melamed.
She was especially proud of her six great grandchildren: Evan, Ryleigh, and Lela Thomas; Cole and Cohen Clark; and Tomer Melamed.
Margaret will be remembered by family and friends as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was an excellent cook, an expert gardener, and a lover of birds. She anxiously awaited each spring for the return of her hummingbirds. She also loved to document her family, flowers, and birds with an untold number of photographs that she took throughout the years.
In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Hawkins, and four brothers Joseph Blazek, Jr., Tom Blazek, Edward Blazek, and Frank Blazek. She is survived by a sister, Barbara (Harold) Adams of Fairmont, WV, a brother Alfred (Rita) Blazek of Cleveland, OH and a sister-in-law Joy Blazek of Vienna, WV.
The family would like to thank the staff at Franklin Hospital and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their outstanding care and concern for their Mother.
The family also wishes to thank Margaret’s good friend and companion, Wanda Zinzilieta, for helping with her care.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.
The family will receive friends at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton, IL on Saturday, February 29 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. A mass of Christian Burial will follow in the church at 10:00 am with Father Urban Osuji as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Akin, IL.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions to the St. Joseph Building Fund or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com
