MARJORIE SPALDING

1916 - 2014

SPALDING, MARJORIE ELIOT BENTON Marjorie Eliot Benton Spalding, 98, a descendent of many of the founding families of Guilford passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 12, 2014. Marjorie’s strong will and passion for life allowed her to “graduate” twice from Hospice 12 years ago. Marjorie was born in the Benton Farmhouse on Sachem’s Head on August 11, 1916, first of 6 children of Mabel F. Norton Benton and Eliot Herbert Benton. She married her childhood sweetheart and love of her life, Delman Seward Spalding, on May 17, 1941. They raised five children in Baltimore, Md., returning to Guilford in 1967 to build their home overlooking her birthplace. Marjorie was a devoted mother and homemaker, studied library science, worked at Hartford Public Library (1938-41) and Guilford Free Library (1969-84). She had a positive, determined, playful and inquisitive nature. She faithfully attended the Guilford Fair, riding the Ferris wheel even this past September. She loved Guilford, books, gardening, flowers, balloons, birds, clouds, sunsets, nature, gadgets, her home, but most of all, her husband and family. She spent many hours reviewing family photos, taking pride in her extended “stick-together family.” Marjorie was pre-deceased by husband Delman, daughter Joy who died of cancer at the age of 7, and siblings H. Milton Benton, Dorothy B. Perkins, Roger W. Benton. She leaves 3 daughters; Lynne Ott, Donna Chemacki (Stan), Janice Falvey and son Kenneth Spalding (Sue); 7 grandsons; David Ott, Timothy and Todd Chemacki, Mathew and Scott Falvey, Eric and Bryce Spalding, 13 great grandchildren, sister Carolyn B. Helander, brother Edwin E. Benton and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Friday, December 12, 2014, 2:00 pm at the First Congregational Church, Guilford with interment at a later date. Donations may be made to Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St, Guilford, CT 06437 or Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd, Branford, CT 06405. Arrangements in care of Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. For more information or to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com