CALAIS
Marjorie Durkee Morse, died peacefully on June 16, 2014 at
Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center with her beloved family at her
side. Born in Randolph, Vermont on May 23, 1928, she grew up in South
Royalton where her family owned and operated Durkee Garage for many
years. She graduated from South Royalton High School in 1946, and
graduated from the University of Vermont with Home Economics major
in 1951. For a few years she taught Home Economics in Concord and
South Royalton, Vermont and then worked at National Life Insurance
Company from 1955 to 1957.
On July 8, 1956, she married George Davis Morse in a small family
wedding and they took up residence at the Morse family home in Calais.
Marjorie became active in her new community, helping to organize a
preschool and Maple Corner Community Club events, and lead a 4-H
group. She was a member of the Adamant Methodist Church where for
many decades she helped coordinate harvest suppers and strawberry
festivals, and occasionally played piano for services. Secretary of
the Calais Historical Society, she also participated in the East
Montpelier Historical Society and Worcester Grange.
Marjorie enjoyed sewing clothes for her family, quilting, hooking
rugs, cooking, playing the violin, accordion and piano. She traveled
in the U.S., Mexico and Europe with her husband and extended family.
After George's retirement from National Life Insurance Company in 1988
they took yearly trips, ultimately visiting every state in the
continental U.S in their Volkswagen Vanagon. She was also a member of
the Montpelier and Marshfield senior centers, especially enjoying the
Montpelier senior swim program. A regular attendee at Worcester
Meals, she enthusiastically read books from their Kellogg-Hubbard
Library outreach program.
Marjorie was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She was well
loved by all who knew her. Her ever-present smile and positive
attitude will be greatly missed. She is predeceased by her parents
Earle Dickerman Durkee and Cornelia Allen Durkee. Survivors include
her husband, George Davis Morse, daughters Laura Morse of Berlin and
Cynthia Gardner-Morse and her husband, Mack Gardner-Morse, of Calais,
grandchildren Ira George Gardner-Morse, Eliza Rose Gardner-Morse, and
John Isaac Gardner-Morse, and numerous other family members.
In lieu of flowers, Marjories family requests that donations be made
to the local charity of your choosing.
A memorial service will be held in her honor at 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Old West Church in Calais.