Marguerite Rogers

Marguerite Rogers VIRGINIA BEACH - Marguerite "Louise" Rogers, 90, passed away in Virginia Beach on Aug. 30, 2010, after a brief illness. Her incredibly positive approach to life and her deep warmth of character made her a legendary inspiration to her many family members and close friends. Her surviving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members will deeply miss this truly wonderful woman often called "Gram." The youngest and last survivor of a Scotch-Irish family of 15, Louise Pettis was born in Washington, D.C. on May 30, 1920. Eloping at a very young age, her marriage in 1937 to the love of her life, George Henry Rogers, also of Washington, would last 67 years until he passed away in 2005. Louise and her husband George had three children, all of whom were present at her side when she passed. Louise's life was a classic American story of a hard- working, loving couple making it through The Depression, World War II (the Army sent George to France in 1944), and then running their own neighborhood grocery store for 50 years. Proudly, their "Sycamore Store," has been historically preserved in Bethesda, Md., and the family is filled with pride by the mark they made in the community where they lived. No matter how busy life was, the family always gathered at "Gram's" for big holiday feasts - she was an incredible cook and nobody today can duplicate her homemade lemon meringue pie. She loved the beach especially at her daughter Linda's home near Annapolis, where she cracked and ate many a crab over the years. Only two weeks ago her son, George, prepared her a special seafood dinner which she enjoyed immensely. Her true joy in life was her grandchildren - many of whom spent significant time in her home in the 1960s, 70s and 80s while their military fathers were deployed overseas. Louise and her husband retired and moved to Virginia Beach in 2000 and resided in Great Neck Farms. They lived across from their daughter Ann whose family considered it an honor and blessing to help care for Louise in her final years and continued to learn from her each day. She found joy in every moment and leaves a legacy of love. Her survivors include a daughter, Linda Garrigus of Cape Coral, Fla., George W. Rogers and his wife Nancy of Lakeland, Fla., and Ann Terlizzi and her husband Thomas of Virginia Beach. Grandchildren are Peter Garrigus and wife Laura of Cape Coral, Fla., Melody Garrigus of Gaithersburg, Md., Annette Hilliard and husband Monty, Michelle Fletcher and husband Scott of Virginia Beach, and George W. Rogers and wife Liz of St. Petersburg, Fla.; great-grandchildren include Anna and Scotty Fletcher, Mazzi and Tag Hilliard, Leah Garrigus, and Taylor and Addison Rogers. Louise is also survived by extended family including Patsy Rogers, sister-in-law Pat Rogers, and many nieces and nephews. Louise was predeceased by her devoted husband, George and her loving son-in-law, Peter Garrigus. The family wishes to thank all of her doctors and caregivers who did their very best to maintain her health and life over the last several years. Special thanks to Susan Thompson with Sentara Home Care, Dr. Thomas Jones and nurse Angie, Dr. Celeste Bremer and Dale Rogerson of Virginia Oncology and Dr. Leonard Cajulis at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Private funeral arrangements are being handled by Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross, 611 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510-1000.