Marjorie Kagay Obituary

Marjorie T. Kagay SchenectadyMarjorie T. Kagay, advocate for progressive causes, died earlier this year. She was a communitarian who also promoted and defended personal autonomy and exercise of conscience. She had resided in the Schenectady area since 1955. Marjorie May Tennes was born in Davenport, Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa, Phi Beta Kappa, with dual majors of English and music. She later earned a master's in music at Ohio State University. She wed John Frederick Kagay. They had two children, and celebrated 60 years of marriage. Marjorie Kagay was the first executive director of Planned Parenthood in Schenectady, and later served on its Board. She was an independent lobbyist working at the state level for multiple years, leading to New York's 1971 enactment of the law recognizing and ensuring reproductive choice. To protect the Great Flats Aquifer, she and husband, John, devoted a decade to research and advocacy. For this work, Marjorie and John Kagay were each awarded the designation Patroon, Schenectady's highest honor. She leaves her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Jack, Lorie and Cynthia Kagay; daughter, Kathryn Kagay and Dean Matsumoto; sister-in-law, Katherine Tennes; nieces, Kay Anthony, Pamela Brown, Carol Shannon and Mary Tennes; and nephews, Charles Kagay and John Kagay, and all their families.

Published by The Daily Gazette Co. on Dec. 31, 2012.
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