Marjorie Brook Harding

Harding, Marjorie Brook

Geneseo: Passed away peacefully with family members and close friends at her side, Sunday, April 28, 2013. Marjorie will be fondly remembered by her extended family and friends. Marjorie was a very active member of Central Presbyterian Church of Geneseo for over fifty years. She served the church as Elder, Deacon, and member of numerous committees; and she helped with the production of the parish newsletter, The Church Mouse.

Born in Princeton, N.J., in 1924, daughter of Harold and Lillian Mae (Van Pelt) Brook. Predeceased by her loving husband, Walter R. Harding, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at SUNY Geneseo and an internationally known Thoreau scholar. Marjorie is survived by her loving children David (Ruth) Harding of Albany, N.Y.; Allen (Kay Gainer) Harding of New York, N.Y.; Larry (Roo Lester) Harding of Woodridge, Ill.; and Sue (Bruce) Rawleigh of Rush, N.Y. Grandchildren: Carl, Jennifer, April, Sue Ann, Jon, Terri, and Courtney; and many great-grandchildren.

Marjorie graduated from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in 1946, and worked as a psychiatric nurse at the New York Psychiatric Institute. She met her future husband there while he was doing alternative service as a conscientious objector. They were married in Princeton, N.J., in 1947. While Walter was teaching at Rutgers University, Marjorie worked as a nurse at Miss Fine's school in Princeton. Later, after several years in Charlottesville, Va., they moved to Geneseo in 1956, first residing on Main Street and later moving to a farm in Groveland. Marjorie worked as a nurse in the infirmary at SUNY Geneseo. Both Marjorie and Walter were avid bird watchers and lifelong learners via many Elderhostels. They both loved traveling with the family, initially across the United States and later around the world. Marjorie was involved with the Geneseo Food Pantry, the Wadsworth Library, Planned Parenthood, and the Livingston County Well Baby Clinic. After the death of her husband in 1996, she continued his work with the Thoreau Society by endowing the Harding Lecture Series at SUNY Geneseo in his memory.

No prior calling hours. A celebration of Majorie's life will be held at Central Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, 31 Center Street, Geneseo, N.Y., on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at 10 a.m. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Marjorie's name to the following organization: The Geneseo Foundation, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454, for the Thoreau-Harding Project.