Marjorie Davis Egger

1925 - 2021

Marjorie Davis Egger
On Thursday, June 24, 2021, Marjorie Davis Egger, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, great aunt, cousin, dear friend, and treasured neighbor, passed peacefully in the quiet of the early morning light.
Margie, as she was affectionately known to everyone, was born in 1925 to the late Jesse Davis Shaeffer and the late Henry Davis in the rural river boat community of Marietta, Ohio at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers. Her early years included late sister Bessie Hendrixson, Grandma White and the wonderful Aunt Lucy.
She attended Ohio State University and studied Early Childhood Development. While at college she met James Egger who was President of the OSU Chapter of Delta Chi Fraternity and she, President of the Chi Omega Sorority. They married in 1947 and moved to California. Alongside her husband Jim, they grew and expanded E.L Egger and Son Nurseries to stores in Mill Valley, Kentfield, and Novato. For 67 years, until Jim's passing in 2013, he opened every single door for Margie and faithfully held her umbrella.
Margie's studies at OSU led her to start the Fairfax Coop Nursery School in 1948. Her dedication and generosity to the community included Girl an Boy Scouts, PTA, Northgate group of the Marin Art & Garden Center, local chapter of Chi Omega and Sunny Hills among many. She volunteered at her church of 50 years, Redwoods Presbyterian in Larkspur.
Margie radiated elegance and grace as she hosted countless family functions. Never wanting to repeat the same menu for her guests, Margie kept notebooks for years of every meal she served and to whom. Her delicious cooking included inspiration from the decades she and Jim traveled the world to 100 countries. Margie loved spending time with family and friends sharing interests and activities. The family home in Maui was open to everyone. An all-around sportswoman, she enjoyed golf, tennis, hiking, camping, waterskiing (not so great), snow skiing (better) and many years of playing Bridge with her longtime friends. She was a member of the Meadow Club for 40 years.
Always impeccably dressed, hair styled beautifully and accessorized perfectly she was just as at home at the Vienna State Opera as was hunting and fishing with Jim or in the jeep in the back country with her sons. Her hair never out of place no matter what she was doing. And don't get it wet if you are swimming with her! A talented seamstress she made clothes for her daughters from infancy to teens.
One afternoon in usual fashion on the way to the cabin at Tahoe, towing a ski boat, she had the kids and supplies loaded in her Chrysler station wagon, Tammie the cat, a large dog named Blackie, who wore sunglasses and always sat behind Mother while riding in the car, when she was pulled over by a Highway Patrolman for speeding. The officer walked up to car, asked for license and registration, looked at the kids and when Blackie the dog looked back at him with sunglasses and a low growl said, "I understand your need to get to Tahoe as quickly as possible but please keep your speed below 55 mph Ma'am and have a nice day" And off we went.
Her warmth, gentle manner, resilience, readiness for adventure and twinkling blue eyes will be forever missed.
Marjorie is survived by her daughter Cynthia Egger (Christopher and Melissa) sons Jay Egger, (spouse, Steve Simonds) and Stephen Egger, (wife Stacey, Ellen and Mason). She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years James E. Egger and daughter Sandra Lee Egger. She is survived by cherished nieces and nephews in Northern California, dearly loved family in North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana and Florida and many, many friends from all parts of the world.
The entire family wishes to recognize and thank the staff at Windchime (a truly wonderful place) for the heartfelt love and care given to Marjorie.
A Celebration of Life and reception following will be held on Saturday, July 24th, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Redwoods Presbyterian Church, 110 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. The family asks in lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial donations may be made to: The Marin Art and Garden Center or a charity of your choice.