Marion Carroll McCollum's Obituary
Marion Carroll McCollum
August 13, 1921 – June 20, 2018
Marion Carroll McCollum, age 96, was the oldest of two children born to Ethel and Louis Hargreaves on August 13, 1921, in Poughkeepsie, New York. She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Ruth, and two husbands. She was born and graduated from Poughkeepsie High School and attended White’s Business School after graduation.
In 1943, Marion was recruited to work for the FBI as a fingerprint reader and moved to Washington D.C. where she met her husband John Carroll, a deep-sea diver in the Navy. At the end of WWII, she and John moved to Oakland, California. Marion attended Armstrong College in Berkeley, California, and worked at local businesses while raising two daughters, Sharyn and Dawn.
After John’s death in 1967, Marion traveled extensively with her cousin, Dr. Abraham Bennett, who also loved traveling. In the next ten years they visited dozens of countries, including all the European countries, New Guinea, Fiji, the Philippines, numerous Asian countries, most of the countries in South America, six countries in Western and Southern Africa, Iceland, Australia, and Russia—every continent except Antarctica.
In 1977, Marion married James McCollum, retired from the Alameda Naval Air Station, who was a longtime friend of the family. As a bonus, her marriage to Jim brought her two daughters in-law, Jackie Tiffany and Jody McCollum, two sons-in-law, Tommy McCollum and John Tiffany, granddaughter Jennifer, and grandson James, nieces Dana and Amanda, great nephew, Bobby, and four great granddaughters.
Marion was a member of the Society of the FBI, Children’s Home Society, Ebell Lakeview Club, PEO Chapter FY, Montclair Women’s Club, the Huguenot Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Hasbrook Family Historical Society, and the Historical Society of New York. A natural for leadership roles, Marion served in many capacities including Regent, President, Vice President, and Corresponding Secretary.
Marion was very proud of her ancestors, the Huguenots, and her forbearers who served in the Revolutionary War. Before losing her eyesight, Marion was an avid reader and a skilled ancestry researcher. She loved her adopted cat, Flash, and was always concerned about his care!
Our dear mother will be remembered by her friends, family members, and colleagues, as a kind, vibrant, and intelligent woman who touched the lives of all who knew her. Her love of family, bright smile, and boundless energy will be greatly missed.
To support macular degeneration research, you can make a tax-deductible contribution to the NEI, The National Eye Institute, by sending a check or money order payable to “The National Eye Institute” addressed to Budget Officer, National Eye Institute, Building 31 – Room 6A16, 31 Center Drive MSC 2510, Bethesda, MD 20892-2510. The letter or memo should indicate your donation is to be used for research at the NEI and is in memory of Marion McCollum. You will receive a letter acknowledging your donation. https://nei.nih.gov/about/donations
What’s your fondest memory of Marion?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marion?
Share a story where Marion's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marion you’ll never forget.
How did Marion make you smile?