Marge was a mentor, a colleague, friend, and most-importantly a travel-buddy. Marge and I saw the world through the eyes of rehabilitation surveyors. They would send us to the far reaches of the country, to the smallest, most remote towns you could think of...and all Marge would say, "Can we spend the Saturday night (when it made airfare cheaper back in the day!) so we can spend the weekend shopping?" We did this in Lincoln, Nebraska, the well-known hot bed of couture shopping! We found the local second hand store and Marge picked out a great well-worn shirt for me. It was all of 50 cents, but she used her senior discount for me so it cost 25 cents in the end. This was Marge. Oh, then there was the time we were in Walla Walla, Washington. Of course, they are famous for their onions. Marge needed a 20lb bag to take home. This is long before the days of TSA and dogs sniffing our suitcases.....
I will miss Marge. I have missed Marge for quite a while now. I got the pleasure though of getting to know JM a little better these past few years. JM was there when my husband died, when I moved from NJ to Chicago to take on a new job as a dean of a school of social work--all long distance. I wrote to Marge and JM. I enjoyed JM's emails and letters back to me. We loved Marge.
I miss Marge but will forward remember her. It's hard to shop and not think of her when I get a really good deal--and one never pays full price after all. Thank you Marge for all we shared. I will share our stories forever. I can see your smile and can hear your laugh. That will never leave me.
I miss you my friend.
Patricia Findley