ZENT, Marjorie Jean

Marjorie Peterson-Zent, "Margie", departed peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2003 at the Odyssey Hospice of Mesa, AZ. Marjorie Jean Peterson was born on January 7, 1926 in Galesburg, Illinois. An alumni of Galesburg High School, Class of 1943, she began her career in Chicago as a model. She became the director for the Miss Illinois Beauty Pageant and pioneered a training program for young women who aspired to follow her footsteps. After graduating from Brown's Business College, she became a representative of Ethan Allen for the Midwestern Region. Margie also had a passion for jewelry and left her indelible mark in the jewelry trade everywhere she went. Margie met her husband of 39 years, Dr. Alfred R. Zent, Jr. in Chicago in 1965. After moving to Mesa and establishing their permanent home, they traveled around the world on numerous international business ventures in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. In between these frequent trips, Margie was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. While responding to the many needs of her large family, Margie also endeared herself to her clients and became known as "the Lollipop Lady". Throughout the state, her customers knew her as the enthusiastic loving blonde with a true zest for interacting with others. She was also named the top salesperson for the Designer Lollipop Co. of Tempe. Friends and family recall her innate graciousness and sense of joy. She was always available to her grandchildren; either cheering at their dance and music recitals or taking her grandson for his first haircut, and caring for the personal and transportation needs of her extensive family. Entertaining people at her home was Margie's labor of love. She had guests daily, from neighborhood children swimming in her pool, to international students cooking in her kitchen, and impromptu business meetings. Margie is survived by her brother, Don Peterson, of Galesburg, Illinois, her husband Alfred of Mesa, AZ, three daughters, Marcia, Barbara, and Ellen, three sons: Mike, Ronnie, and Gary, 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Private services were held at Resthaven Park Chapel, 4310 E. Southern Avenue in Phoenix on Thursday, August 14th. Margie will rest there with her mother, Hazel Peterson, father-in-law, Alfred R. Zent, Sr. & his wife Martha, and brothers-in-law, William F. and Richard Zent. The Arizona Republic on 8/14/2003.