Marjorie Durkee Morse

CALAIS - Marjorie Durkee Morse died peacefully on June 16, 2014, at Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center with her beloved family at her side.

Born in Randolph, Vermont, on May 23, 1928, she grew up in South Royalton where her family owned and operated Durkee Garage for many years. She graduated from South Royalton High School in 1946 and graduated from the University of Vermont with a home economics major in 1951. For a few years she taught home economics in Concord and South Royalton, Vermont, and then worked at National Life Insurance Co. from 1955 to 1957.

On July 8, 1956, she married George Davis Morse in a small family wedding, and they took up residence at the Morse family home in Calais.

Marjorie became active in her new community, helping to organize a preschool and Maple Corner Community Club events, and lead a 4-H group. She was a member of the Adamant Methodist Church, where for many decades she helped coordinate harvest suppers and strawberry festivals, and occasionally played piano for services. Secretary of the Calais Historical Society, she also participated in the East Montpelier Historical Society and Worcester Grange.

Marjorie enjoyed sewing clothes for her family, quilting, hooking rugs, cooking, playing the violin, accordion and piano. She traveled in the U.S., Mexico and Europe with her husband and extended family.

After George's retirement from National Life Insurance Co. in 1988 they took yearly trips, ultimately visiting every state in the continental U.S. in their Volkswagen Vanagon. She was also a member of the Montpelier and Marshfield senior centers, especially enjoying the Montpelier senior swim program. A regular attendee at Worcester Meals, she enthusiastically read books from their Kellogg-Hubbard Library outreach program.

Marjorie was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She was well loved by all who knew her. Her ever-present smile and positive attitude will be greatly missed.

She is predeceased by her parents, Earle Dickerman Durkee and Cornelia Allen Durkee.

Survivors include her husband, George Davis Morse; daughters Laura Morse, of Berlin, and Cynthia Gardner-Morse and her husband, Mack Gardner-Morse, of Calais; grandchildren Ira George Gardner-Morse, Eliza Rose Gardner-Morse and John Isaac Gardner-Morse; and numerous other family members.

In lieu of flowers, Marjorie's family requests that donations be made to the local charity of your choosing.

A memorial service was held in her honor at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014, at the Old West Church in Calais.