Marjorie Elizabeth Richardson

April 3, 1916 - July 1, 2013

Marjorie Richardson, 97, died in Traverse City on July 1, 2013. Marge grew up in Cadillac, MI where she graduated from Cadillac High School. She spent her college years in Aurora, NY where she graduated from Wells College. After college she married the late Ray Richardson who preceded her in death in 1962. Marge and Ray were founding members of the Traverse City Presbyterian Church. After Ray’s death Marge earned a teaching certificate from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in special education from Eastern Michigan University. She went on to teach special education for the Traverse City Public Schools. After teaching in Traverse City, Marge’s adventurous nature and humanitarian spirit led her to continue her career in education as a volunteer for Buckhorn Children’s Center in Appalachia, the Duvall Home for the Mentally Disabled in Florida and Peace Corps assignments in Tonga and Costa Rica. A special education room in Costa Rica is named in her honor. Marge traveled the world extensively with friends and family, arranging her travels so that she could spend summers at her beloved cottage on Long Lake, where she savored visits from children and grandchildren, walks in the woods, communing with the loons and picking dewberries. She volunteered for the Grand Traverse Literacy Council into her nineties. In 2003 Marge moved to Cedar Creek Commons Senior Apartments where she became a member of a community of new, close friends. Among Marge’s varied interests were classical music, the New York Times Sunday Crossword, swimming and reading. She played a competitive game of Scrabble until her death. Marjorie is survived by her children Patricia of Hilo, HI; Jan Brimacombe (Robert) of Ann Arbor, MI; Kathie McDonald (Dave) of Concord, CA and Phil (Joan) of Williamsburg, MI; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A brother, Phil Webb (Peggy) of Jackson, MI also survives. The family will gather at a later date to celebrate Marjorie’s extraordinary life. Memorial contributions may be made to The Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity or a charity of your choice.