Madge Lily Guthery

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

I had the great opportunity to interview Madge for the NPR StoryCorps project about four years ago. She talked about her long career in radio in Marion, a profession she dearly loved. She also told me the biggest thrill she felt in the first days she arrived on the campus of Ohio State (a country girl from LaRue, Ohio) was when she was able to have a coca cola. It was her first taste and she loved it ever since.
Madge did so much for Marion and the OSU campus there. What a treasure....

Madge came to my aid when my Dad died May 26,2005. My Father was Bill Guthery. I remember the big "Guthery" reunion that her and Howard held at their big yellow home. I was about 10 at the time. The home was grand and full of family. I met my cousins from Chile there. That is what Madge stood for to me was family. I will miss her.

Madge was a woman of incredible integrity. Bright and engaging, she had a way of making you feel special. I remember when she hired me at WMRN for my first on-air job while I was still in high school (in the late Fifties) she invited me to appear on her daily morning show. After she introduced me, Madge looked me in eye and said, "You man, do you know else who sat in that chair you're in and who also worked here?" I admitted I did not. She raised her eyebrows, smiled and said, "Rod Serling!"...

What a marvelous lady Madge was. I can remember visiting Madge with my father, Bill Guthery. He had the highest regard for this woman. It was always such a special day when we were in her company. I always left having learned something new. I will forever be indebted to her for the honor she gave to the Guthery name.