Marjorie Louise Wood died peacefully January 25, 2014 following a brief decline in health. The wife of Donald Wood (Woodie), she was the mother of four daughters, Roxanne Roberts , Betsy Jackson, Dianne Wood, and Susan McMahon; and the grandmother to the source of her greatest joy, her grandchildren, Caitlin Roberts, Megan Ocampo, Sarah Lake-Johnson, John Roberts, Ian Lake, Caleb Wood-Daggett, Nathaniel Jackson, Emily Jackson, and Seamus McMahon. She made their young lives an important part of hers, attending as many of their events as possible, babysitting, playing games, teaching them to read; the list is endless. A source of great pride and joy as well were her great-grandchildren, Madeline, Emelia , Eden, and Ellery.
Marjorie (known to those close to her as Marge or Midge) grew up in Fairhaven where she first met Woodie at Fairhaven High School. Following World War II they re-met at Bowlmor in Mattapoisett where she said to her friend “That’s the man I’m going to marry.” They would have been married 67 years in July. She was a private person, a homemaker all her married life, a consummate stay-at-home mother who was talented, creative, and imaginative. An accomplished seamstress, she made wedding gowns, bridesmaid’s dresses, and numerous prom gowns along with many other items for her daughters and granddaughters. She was a skilled Nantucket Basket weaver, wood carver, sculptor, artist, meticulous needle worker and was able to teach herself to play the piano. As an avid birdwatcher, she kept long lists of the birds she saw outside her bay window. Sadly, she would never see a Bluebird which she had hoped she someday would. A life-long reader, there was never a time she was without a book.
Woodie’s job as a firefighter meant he was frequently away from home which left her the responsibility of four young daughters. It didn’t matter that we didn’t have a car; she entertained us with her imaginative games. On the rare occasions that the car was ours, she took us on mystery rides, slowing down upon returning home only to speed off again before stopping, turning our groans into cheers because the adventure was still on. She instilled in her daughters the value of kindness, empathy and fairness. As in any family, there were some difficult times but there were many more good times and always love and laughter.
The family will welcome friends at the home of her daughter, Susan, on Saturday, February 1st, 40 Main Street, Mattapoisett, beginning at two o’clock until 5 o’clock. We ask that donations in her memory be made to the charity of your choice.