Margaret Ibanez (nee Hodge) was born on July 25, 1948, in Bloomington, Illinois, and passed away on August 28, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. She is survived by one sister, Linda James of Prescott, Arizona, and several cousins.

Marge grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, becoming an accomplished pianist and organist. She met her husband Lorenzo during study abroad in Spain through Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio. After returning to the U.S., they settled in St. Louis, where he had been invited to work as a chef. The couple did not have children, but they adored their Shih Tzus.

Marge served seventeen years as the secretary at Kirkwood United Church of Christ. After retiring, she moved to Cape Albeon in Valley Park and later to McClay Senior Care in St. Peters. Marge enjoyed a bi-lingual life, communicating in Spanish first with her husband and then with members of his family, who lovingly called her Margarita.

A memorial service for Marge will take place on September 12, 2026, at 1 pm at Kirkwood United Church of Christ, 1603 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122.
Services provided by Jay B. Smith Funeral Home.