Margery Isabel Edington

1926 - 2026

passed away peacefully at her home in Charleston on February 23, 2026. She was 99 years old, 16 days shy of her 100th birthday.

Margery was born on March 11, 1926, in Plymouth, England, the daughter of William and Emily (Lacey) Northcott. She was the oldest of their three daughters and was predeceased by sisters Joy and Audrey.

Hers was a truly amazing life. She came into her teen years in Plymouth during World War II with the city under attack from German bombing raids. At the age of 17, while attending a church service, she met an American sailor from West Virginia who was stationed at a nearby US Navy base. A year later, Margery Northcott and Gordon Lee Edington were married at that same church on August 3, 1944. In Plymouth, their first child, Stephen was born one year later.

In February of 1946, Margery and six-month-old Stephen sailed to America on the Queen Mary, along with dozens of other British war brides. Like many others on board, she had only traveled a short distance from her home before coming to the States. She became a naturalized US citizen in 1952.

She and Gordon lived in Charleston for a few years before settling in St. Albans. In addition to their son, they had three daughters, Rose Edington, Heather Bostic, and Lynne Edington. Margery, Gordon, and their children were actively involved in the Highlawn Baptist Church of St. Albans where Margery served as church clerk for many years. When she moved to Charleston in 2001, she participated in worship and activities at Charleston Baptist Temple, where she made many lasting friendships. During her more recent years, she was especially grateful for the love and compassion from her Baptist Temple family.

Margery and Gordon were happily married for 35 years, until his death in 1979.

Later in life, she enjoyed traveling with her sister-in-law Tonda, and visiting her family both in the United States and Great Britain. She embraced each trip with a sense of adventure and enthusiasm.

Margery worked at West Virginia Graduate College and its predecessors from 1968-1992. She formed close friendships with many of her co-workers. For most of that time she worked as an administrative assistant for the Engineering Department. After retirement, she worked part time at WVGC until 1997 when she embraced her role as Gran to her youngest grandchild, Zane.

Margery is among a now very diminishing number of British war brides who came to America immediately following the Second World War. While her story is unique to her, it is also a piece of a larger American story of courageous young women who made life changing decisions while still in their late teens.

While living over 80 years of her life in the US, she never lost some of her British ways which included having a cup of tea at 4:00 o'clock every afternoon! She also enjoyed making dozens of British mince meat pies (tarts) at Christmas time, generously sharing them with friends and family. While circumstances allowed for only occasional visits with her English family members they remained in close touch, and Margery knew their love throughout her life.

Margery is succeeded by her four children: Stephen (Michele) of Nashua, New Hampshire; Rose (Melvin Hoover) of Bellingham, Washington; Heather (Bert Bostic) of Midland, Texas; and Lynne Edington of Charleston. Her grandchildren are Gordon, Melanie, Leonard, James, Kara, Anne, Aaron, and Zane. Her great-grandchildren are Alexa, Grace, Brighton, Madison, Gavin, and Aria. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, Martin, Chris, Amy, and Kate.

A service to honor the life of Margery Edington will be held at the Charleston Baptist Temple, 209 Morris Street in Charleston at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm.

You may visit Margery's tribute page at BartlettNichols.com to share memories or condolences with the family.

Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, family owned and located at 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans is honored to serve the Edington family.