Myrna McAvoy

EAST PEORIA - Myrna Jean (Sharp) McAvoy, 93, of East Peoria passed away at 7:07 p.m. on June 24, 2021, at her residence with her loving family by her side.

She was born on January 26, 1928, in East Peoria, the daughter of Ray and Jessie Hill Sharp.  She married the love of her life, LeRoy McAvoy, July 5, 1947.  He preceded her in death.  Four brothers and three sisters also preceded her in death. 

She raised a family of five in Washington, IL, lived in Ft. Myers, FL for five years, and lived the last few years of her life in Peoria and East Peoria, IL, making friends and caring for her neighbors everywhere she went. Myrna and LeRoy met in 7th grade, were childhood sweethearts, married in 1947, and celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary shortly before his death on July 31, 2019.  They leave a legacy of love.

Myrna worked one year at Caterpillar before beginning her life’s work as a world-class homemaker and mom.  She made the best desserts ever!  She enjoyed summer family vacations, and in later years, she and Lee enjoyed traveling together.  She was a loyal Cubs fan and was very happy to see them win the World Series in 2016.  She was a lifetime member of East Peoria First United Methodist Church.  She lived her life with faith and courage, always for others to the very end. She was witty, brave, and beautiful inside and out.

Surviving are five children, Dan (Karin) McAvoy of Ft. Myers, FL, Steve (Darlene) McAvoy of Washington, IL, Debbie (John) Dickerson of Peoria, IL, Tom (Julie) McAvoy of Morton, IL, and Patty Lester of Washington, IL, 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and her faithful companion kitty, Lucy, who misses her very much.  Also surviving is one younger sister, Gail Morger, of East Peoria, IL, whom she called every day to check on her. 
 

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Fondulac Township Cemetery in East Peoria. Pastor Tim Brown will officiate. A time to celebrate her life will follow at the First United Methodist Church, 154 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL. Memorials may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515, or www.macular.org.  Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or send a condolence, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.
 
 

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