Marjorie Ann Trench

Marjorie “Marg” Ann Boatman Trench, 92 years of age, passed away peacefully in her home on April 12, 2026. She was born in West Terre Haute on April 25, 1933 to Arbie Allen Boatman and Itha Ida Hedden Boatman.

Marg grew up in a neighborhood filled with her family. Everyone kept their doors open – grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles popping in and out all day. Everyone took care of each other, sharing what they had and making a little feel like a whole lot more. When she wasn’t working, she loved to dress up and go dancing at the Deming Hotel.

She married the love of her life, John Lyon Trench, Jr. on Sept 21, 1952. John fell in love with her at first sight, seeing her walk down the street to catch the trolley into town. As a proud Air Force wife, she moved with John all over the United States – Illinois, Mississippi, California, and Alaska. They even spent time living on Sembach Air Base in Germany. She had so many lovely stories of the folks she befriended and their adventures along the way.

Of all of life’s adventures, starting her family and raising her four beautiful boys was the absolute joy of her life and the answer to her prayers. She was a strong, determined woman who kept things running smoothly on the home-front. The Trench household was a safe, welcoming place for all the neighborhood kids. Marg’s love language was cooking. No one who entered her home would ever leave hungry.

As a devout Catholic, Marg spent a lot of her time in service to St. Ann’s congregation on Locust Street - volunteering, working at the church, tending to shut-ins, helping out wherever she was needed most. Taking care of her neighbors was second nature for her. Always praying for the most vulnerable among us –our soldiers, the homeless, the ill, and those facing struggles. She donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as often as she could, displaying photos of those sweet babies on her refrigerator. She was a generous, beautiful soul.

As matriarch of the Trench family, she made holidays so special. All of the traditions she set helped keep her family strong and unified. It was important to her to set a bountiful, beautiful table for her loved ones. Once her grandchildren entered the world, her heart grew right along with her table. She took the time to teaching her kids and grandkids how to cook nourishing, comforting meals from scratch. Showering them with love and attention, always lending a listening ear, ready to provide support and encouragement. You couldn’t ask for a better mother or grandmother.

Marg was quick witted and sharp. She devoured books by the dozen. No morning was complete until she finished all the newspaper puzzles, especially the Crytoquote. She was a cinephile with a passion for all types of film – westerns, classics, romantic comedies, musicals, dramas. She even created her own movie index card catalogue system for her VHS tape collection. She would frequently host game nights with her friends and cousins – playing Scrabble or cards for hours on end. She was a great bowler, with a shelf full of trophies to prove it. There was nothing she couldn’t do, if she put her mind to it.

To know her was to love her. To be loved by her was the greatest blessing of our lives. The world is dimmer without her light. Until we meet again in heaven, we will carry you with us always - in our hearts, our words, and our deeds.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Lyon Trench Jr, her parents, Arbie Allen and Itha Ida Boatman, her sister, Nellie Jo Montgomery, her brothers, Gary “Butch” Boatman and James Boatman, and grandson, Christopher Trench.

She is survived by her four sons: John Lyon Trench III, Michael Trench (Elizabeth), David Trench (Lorrie), Paul Trench (April), six grandchildren: John Lyon Trench IV, Ryan Trench, Beau Kitchell, Victoria Dreher (Trevor), Austin Trench, Samantha Trench (Mathew), Tyler Trench, two great-grandchildren: Henry Dreher and Felix Dreher, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 N. 3rd St, West Terre Haute, IN on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with Deacon Michael Stratman officiating. Burial will follow in Bethesda Memorial Park. Visitation is scheduled for 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM in the funeral home.

Online condolences can be left at:

www.fitzpatrick-funeralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Catholic Charities Terre Haute or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her name.