Marjorie McIlwean Delegal

On December 16, 2021, Marjorie M. Delegal was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven after an earthly life well lived. Margie was born in Miami, Florida, on March 13, 1930, to Mabel and Raymond McIlwean where Marjorie and her older sister Pat and younger brother Charles grew up. Marjorie graduated from Miami Edison High School in 1948. After World War II, Margie met a young Navy veteran, Gene Delegal, whom she would soon marry and settle down with in Oakland Park. Margie and Gene had three children, Kenneth Eugene, Robert Allen, and Donna Sue. The couple engaged in farming in Broward County in the early years of their marriage. The Delegals were part of one of the pioneer families of Oakland Park who arrived in the area during the 1920s. In the 1960s during the real estate boom in South Florida, Margie and Gene turned their efforts toward the real estate market by opening their own real estate brokerage company and constructing and developing residential and commercial properties of their own. Later Margie and her sister-in-law opened a hand craft store known as Shar-Mar Handcrafts. During all these years, Margie raised her three children and enjoyed her five grandchildren, Mark Delegal, Amanda Delegal-Steele, Alison Delegal, Melanie Delegal and Ron D’Anna. Margie was an avid tennis player, travelled with family and friends, and was an active member of First Baptist Church of Oakland Park. Margie was a strong, kind and loving person devoted to her family and who could always be counted on to provide support and assistance to them and to members of her church and community. She had a “can-do” attitude toward life’s challenges which always served her well. Margie lived a full and productive 91 years and, until the last month of her life, continued to work together with her daughter in running the family business. Margie is survived by her daughter, Donna Sue Delegal, her grandchildren, and great-granddaughters, Mary Katherine Delegal, Elizabeth Delegal, Caroline Delegal, Andie D’Anna and Kennedi Steele, as well as her daughter-in-law, Susan Delegal. She was predeceased by her husband and her two sons. Margie leaves behind many nieces and nephews and other family members and friends. A celebration of Margie’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Oakland Park, 801 N.E. 34th Court, Oakland Park, Florida, on Wednesday, December 22. The viewing will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by a service at 12:00 p.m. Immediately thereafter, a burial ceremony will be conducted at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 499 N.W. 27th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Online condolences can be shared at edkalis.com. Arrangements entrusted to Edwards Cremation & Funeral Services, 1108 N.E. 23rd Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida 33305.