Mrs. Marjorie Luella Williams

Marjorie L. Williams – My Tribute

I am writing today about my "Mama Marge"! Date of birth: October 24, 1914. Place of birth: North Liberty, Indiana. Born: Marjorie Luella Aldrich. Her father, Matthew, was a farmer. Her mother, Laura, was a widow with children when she married Matthew. He was 50 years old when Mama Marge was born. She was his only child. He adored her as she did him. She often told us stories about how he spoiled her. If her mother told her "no" for something, she would go to her father. She usually got her way.

Mama Marge grew up on a 100-acre farm. She loved it. She loved being outside. She didn't mind doing chores as long as she could be outside. She liked helping her mother with the flower garden and the vegetable garden. Mama Marge loved all the farm animals. She loved riding her horse. One day she went to a nearby farm to visit a friend. She was around 8 or 9 years old. As she was riding back home, her horse stumbled a bit and Mama Marge fell off. She had been riding bareback. She was too little and needed something to stand on to get back on her horse. She was stranded in the middle of a field as her horse kept going – headed toward the barn. But, the barn and the farm were quite a distance away and she would have to walk. It was nearly dark by the time she made it home. Her mother was extremely upset and worried. She gave Mama Marge quite a lecture and then broke down in tears.

Her older siblings were Flossie, Arthur and Elsie. At times, the four of them got a little rambunctious inside the house. They would get in their mother's way and she would send them outside saying: "You kids go on outside and get the stink blowed off you." Mama Marge always laughed when she used that phrase. She would tell me that her mother said it just like that!

Mama Marge told me one day that she had to leave home to live with another family in order to attend high school in South Bend, Indiana. The school was too far away from the farm and her parents wanted her to have a good education. She would go back to the farm whenever she could. She missed it and her parents so much.

In her early 20's, she married John Earl. He was an engineer and an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They traveled frequently and she loved it. The traveling was great, but, it had always been her desire to have, at least, six children. Sadly they had none. One day she told John that she had always wanted to become a nurse. At age 50, she returned to school attending Indiana University completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She worked in a private practice and later became a charge nurse at the very university she had attended. She was always proud of her nursing degree and the fact that she was a "cap" nurse. You younger people might not have any idea what that is, but, your grandparents will remember.
In 1978, Mama Marge and John retired and moved to Florida. Whatever she did, whether work or play, she did it 100%! Of course, doing anything outdoors was always her choice. She played tennis; swam; rode her bicycle; walked; and, always had flowers growing all year long. She was active in her church doing much volunteer work especially at the Thrift Store! She loved helping people and being with people. She was a "people person" extraordinaire! A social butterfly to the "nth" degree! She always had lots of friends because she was always a good friend to many!

Mama Marge became a widow in 1989. John's extended illness had been difficult to endure, but, she never lost her confidence or courage. Her sister, Elsie, had some health care needs and came to live with her. Her nursing knowledge and skills were still being used. She was content.

Mama Marge was benevolent. Her love for children never ceased. She provided financial assistance for several children to attend school. I had the privilege of meeting one of them in 2009. She had helped him and his sister as well. They were both proud of their education and grateful for her help. From time to time, she would receive notes or cards from those she helped. They would send pictures. It always made her so happy! She was also benevolent whenever a friend was in need. Sometimes they never knew who had helped them, but, she was nearby and able to see the outcome.

In 1992, Mama Marge met a widower in the neighborhood where she lived. They had much in common particularly things concerning the Bible and church. This widower was my Daddy! They married in our home on August 8, 1993. Their happiness together was totally evident although lasting only 5 years. Daddy's illness was short. His earthly life ended on October 14, 1998. Mama Marge was heartbroken. My husband and I were determined to remain in her life if she would have us. I'm glad it was OK with her. She was the only "parent" we had left!

We had many talks and walks. Lots of lunch dates or dinner dates. We went on little side trips and shopping was always on the list! She was a good shopper and a sharp dresser! Her favorite color was blue. Mama Marge and I had lots of "favorite things" in common. It always amazed and amused us. Bill and I loved to hear her laugh. She had a hearty, rich laugh that made anyone grin just to hear it even if they didn't know what had caused it. She had a twinkle in her eye and a sassy little grin that always made me see her as a very energetic little girl. Her sense of humor was

absolutely remarkable! She was as quick with a quip as anyone I ever knew and could pick up on a joke before you even finished telling it. She took teasing right in stride and loved to dish it out as well. She could more than hold her own in the teasing department! Right down to the last day we visited her that sense of humor was still there. It had gotten a little weaker and her laugh was not as strong, but, she still had that grin that we will never forget!

Mama Marge called me "Sweetie" and she called my husband "Handsome." She once told me that if she had a husband as good looking as Bill, she wouldn't be in such a hurry to leave this earth. And then she would laugh! But, I think she meant it. When we would visit her at Sunbelt Apopka, she would tell people "these are my kids" and she was serious. Our visiting pattern was almost every Sunday afternoon. I tried to call her every night just to check on her and "tuck her in" over the phone. She loved it and always thanked me for checking on her. Then she would say: "Please don't stop. I like it when you check on me." I assured her each time that I would not stop. We had several teasing comments and phrases that became standard for our brief evening chats. I will miss them! I will miss her! We all will miss her!

Mama Marge's last 30 days were not very enjoyable for her. Yet she remained sweet to everyone around her – always a smile no matter how she felt. Always politely thanking people who were helping her. Always patient during whatever needed to be done. She was not a complainer, but, occasionally a little negative word would be spoken. She almost immediately realized it and found something for which she could be (or should be -- as she would say) thankful. On January 27, 2012, at approximately 3:40 in the morning, Mama Marge entered her sleep.

You can always tell a lot about someone by looking through their Bible. Just inside the front cover of hers I found a little poem she had taped in place. It was simply titled: "A Prayer" and was written by a Margaret Bailey. The poem is as follows:

God, give me sympathy and sense,
And help me keep my courage high;
God, give me calm and confidence,
And – please – a twinkle in my eye!
Amen.

There's nothing more to say.

Tina Irwin
Mama Marge's loving stepdaughter.
………………………………………………………………………..

Family information available to me:

Bill and I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting one of Mama Marge's great nephews and his wife, Tom and Sara Hawblitzel. We have spent time with them the last two Decembers they came to visit her. What a joy it was for her and also for us! Tom and Sara have four children:
Debbie Schultz (great, great niece), Wisconsin.
T.J. Hawblitzel (great, great nephew), Illinois.
Gary Hawblitzel (great, great nephew), Indiana.
Steve Hawblitzel (great, great nephew), and wife, Tracie, and -- great, great, great nephews Andrew, Alex and Aarin, all in Indiana. (Mama Marge loved to spend time with the 3 boys reading and playing games!)
Additional family:
Roy Andrews (nephew), Indiana.
Mable Fenske (niece), Indiana.
Lloyd Lee Andrews (great nephew), Indiana.
Debbie Hubbard (great niece), Palmetto, Florida.
And – many other nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service:
Florida Living Retirement Community Chapel
600 Edgehill Place
Apopka FL 32703
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to: Sunbelt Apopka, 305 E. Oak Street, Apopka FL 32703
Please indicate that your contribution is in memory of Marjorie L. Williams.