Mrs. Marjorie D Gushard

Marjorie D. Gushard, 95, of Cranford, NJ, died peacefully of natural causes on January 20, 2016. Born September 30, 1920, in Flushing, New York, she was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Elizabeth (Knapp) Dressner. In 1938 Marjorie attended Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA where she met the love of her life, William Howard (Gus) Gushard, from Philadelphia, PA. In 1942 they were married and spent the next 47 years enjoying their home on Staten Island, NY, and their farmhouse in Paintersville, PA. Over the years she taught Sunday school, was a Cub Scout den mother, volunteered in local political campaigns, and was in charge of distribution of the film "Jesus" to churches on Staten Island. She made an excellent pot roast dinner every Sunday.Gus died in September 1989. Marjorie spent the years since his passing living in their townhouse in Cranford, NJ, temporary quarters they bought in 1983 to ease the transition before his retirement and their permanent move to Paintersville. As Marge would tell everyone, their temporary quarters has served her now for more than 30 years, and she expects Gus will sternly question her, What took you so long?, when she sees him again. The best thing Marjorie ever did in her life, she often said, was to goon a tour of Israel. She adored everything she saw there and held her bible open on her lap at every site. Marjorie loved living in Cranford; she enjoyed the friendliness of the local shopkeepers, the architecture of the large old homes, and especially the happiness she felt on her beloved river walks. Almost daily for the past 5 years Marjorie would go around the block between "the boats" and the 9/11 Memorial Park, chatting easily for a few minutes and waving a hearty hello with those she met along the way. She would note the level of the river water, count the number of geese and ducks, and call "woof woof" to every passing dog.Marjorie had a deep faith in God and never stopped thanking Him for all His mercies towards her throughout her life.She is survived by a daughter Linda (Lawrence) of Westfield, and two sons, Wayne and Robert(Elizabeth), nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ. Go to www.grayfuneralhomes.com for condolences. Interment will be at the Lind Memorial Cemetery in Lewistown, PA.