Marjorie Elizabeth Wharry

Marjorie Elizabeth Wharry was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1934.

Known affectionately to many as Marjie or Marje, she was an artist, mother, teacher, and wife who touched countless lives with her warmth, creativity, and kindness. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in Salem, Oregon and attended Willamette University.

She was first married to Dr. David Weeks in Oregon, where they welcomed their first child, Daniel. The family later moved to Portland while David attended medical school. During this time, she worked as a window display designer, honing her eye for beauty and composition.

In 1963, the family settled in Boise, Idaho, first in the North End and later moved to Boise Heights, where she and David welcomed two more children, Suzanne and Rebecca. During these years, she became active in the Boise Art Museum and was a founding member of Boise Beaux Arts Society. Her early art with linoleum and woodblock printing blossomed into a lifelong passion, leading to local art festival displays and handmade cards that captured her love of nature; landscapes, animals, and flowers rendered in her distinctive style.

After her marriage to David ended, she pursued her dream of teaching art by earning an art education degree from Boise State University. She began teaching arts and crafts at West Junior High School, where she inspired generations of students to explore their creativity. During this time as a single woman, she was self-reliant and created a loving and joyful home for her three children while expanding her art endeavors. In 1975, she met Gregg Wharry at local tennis events. The two shared a love of hiking, fishing, and tennis, and eventually married after their combined five children (including Gregg's: Mark and Martha) had grown and headed for college. Together, their lives included art, outdoors adventures, cooking, and family.

Her artistic focus evolved over time, and watercolor became an additional passion. After retiring from public school teaching, she continued to teach watercolor painting at Fort Boise Community Center, where her classes developed a devoted following of returning students.

Following Gregg's passing, she moved to an assisted living community, where her generous spirit and sense of humor quickly won her new friends among residents and staff alike. She continued to bring light to those around her until the end of her life where she passed peacefully.

She will be remembered for her artistry, compassion for people, and love of beauty; qualities admired by her children, grandchildren, students, and friends.

She is survived by her brother Steven Little. Her children, Daniel Weeks, Suzanne Wilson, and Rebecca Weeks. Grandchildren: Sarah Weeks Abbott (Brian Abbott), Katie Wilson, Emily Weeks, Louise Harris, Annie Janke (Parker Janke), Olivia Harris, Nick Wilson, Metolius DeMeritt, and great grandchildren, Brooklynn Martinez and Porter Janke.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Ben and Alice Little, brothers: Tom and John Little, sons-in-law: Mark Harris and Drew Wilson, husbands: David Weeks and Gregg Wharry.

A Celebration of Life will be held for her on October 25, at 5:00 pm at Boise First Congregational UCC at 2201 W. Woodlawn Ave. Boise, ID 83702. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the Interfaith Sanctuary (interfaithsanctuary.org) in her memory.