Marjorie Fritz

MARJORIE KATHRYN FRITZ

(1928-2014) - Marjorie Kathryn Fritz was born the second child of William Owen Stinnett and Helon Ruth Shelton Stinnett on Jan 14, 1928.

As a child, Marjorie loved playing on her father's farm with her older brother, Ivan Owen and their same-age uncle, Atlee Shelton Jr, both of whom served in World War II. Her interest in music started when she was 13 years old and her father bought a Cable Nelson piano, which still resides within the family. Besides piano and singing, Marjorie loved learning and reading. She graduated salutatorian from Madisonville High School. She entered Western Kentucky College (now WKU) in Bowling Green where she met her husband of 47 years, Leroy E. Fritz. She played the piano and accompanied him on the violin. Marjorie and Lee made their home in Alton, Ill., where their four children were born: William Albert Fritz of Millstadt, Ill.; Robert Lee Fritz of Lombard, Ill.; John Allan Fritz of Peachtree City, Ga.; and Ruth Ann Fritz Fisher of Brentwood, Mo.

Marjorie was quite active in the Alton community. She was choral director of Combined Church Choirs of Alton, substitute organist for and a member of Upper Alton Baptist Church, substitute teacher in the Alton School system, and music columnist for the Alton Evening Telegraph newspaper.

After her children left home, she returned to college and earned a Bachelor's Degree, and then a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and in Music Education. Beside focusing on their family, she and Lee developed many close friendships in the community.

In 1997 she moved to Altamonte Springs Fla., where she became a licensed massage therapist but was soon diagnosed with a rare health condition called Polycythemia Vera. She was treated by a number of research doctors and made significant recovery from care by her beloved Oncologist in Altamonte. Her last years in and out of hospitals and care facilities left her with many friends and people who admired her wit, spunk, and sweetness. She had a very wonderful love and understanding of people. She could be described as a light hearted spirit who could uplift those around her. Her zeal to follow her path to her Heavenly Father gave her comfort, strength, and determination to carry on during her illness and to see the good in all things.

She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-laws; one daughter and son-in-law; 11 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Julia (Judy) Holt and her husband Jack, of Madisonville, Ky., and Helen McReynolds of Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Her favorite Bible passage that her children remember her quoting was 1 Corinthians 13:1-13… "Love is…". May we smile when we remember her with love and think of Proverbs 17:22: "a Merry heart doeth good like medicine".

She asked that any donation be made to the church of your choice or the World Wildlife Fund.