Marjorie Almira Longfellow Spitzer

Marjorie Almira Longfellow Spitzer, 97, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2012 at her home. Funeral Services will be held 11:30 A.M. Wednesday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 914 Lane Dr., St. Joseph with Rev. Pamela Sten officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to The Family or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Those wishing to sign Marjorie’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Marjorie was born June 7, 1914 in St. Joseph to George & Grace (Garlanger) Longfellow. She married Verne William Spitzer in Michigan City, Indiana. She earned her bachelor’s degree and began her teaching career at Stickney School-a one room school. Marjorie taught at Sorter School for several years before taking a job with St. Joseph Public Schools at Lincoln Elementary. She also taught at Gard School and finished her career at Brown School after thirty-seven years of teaching. Marjorie loved life, her family and her friends. She loved parties, sitting outside on her deck listening to the birds and working with her flowers. She enjoyed a beautiful, sunny afternoon on her deck on Wednesday. If someone was going somewhere, she wanted to go with for a ride, not wanting to be left out or alone. Marjorie was always happy and had a good sense of humor. She would be looking and listening all the time. Marjorie was easy to take care of and very appreciative of everything people did for her when friends and family brought her gifts and food. She always wanted to know who called and be included in the conversation. Marjorie loved her church and church family. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Sarett Nature Center, Fernwood Nature Center, Retired Teachers Association, North Berrien Historical Society, The Daughters of the King, Daughters of the American Revolution-St. Joseph, a Charter Member of Berrien County Sportsman’s Club & Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star,. She felt bad because she couldn’t attend to her memberships any longer. Marjorie is survived by her daughters-Rhonda-Marie Davis of Baroda, Jeri (Don Terrill) Spitzer of St. Joseph, honorary daughter Ruth Ann Williams of Stevensville; three grandchildren-Blair-Drew (Annie) Davis, David (Suzanne) Davis, Laura-Lynn (Erin Hart) Davis; twelve grandchildren-Tiffany, Angela, Jamie, Jonathan, Christina, Dustin, Brieana, Britney, Brooklynn, Brooke, Bailey, Brady; five great-great grandchildren; her sister Eva Jane Fryer of Valparaiso, IN; sisters-in law-Geraldine Wooley & Dorothy Longfellow; nieces & nephews-Judy (Mike) Farah, Dick (Ginger) Fryer, Bonnie (Dan) Cuson, Trudi (Tom) Neil, Connie (Walt) Helminski, Bob (Dai) Fryer, George & William Longfellow, Darlene (Roger) Adamczyk, Ron, Jim, Diane, John, Pat, Debra, Rick, Cheryl, Robin & Randy; and special friends-Connie Keith of Stevensville and Mary Videnovich of St. Joseph. She was preceded in death by her husband Verne in 1952, three brothers-Joseph, George, & William Longfellow, and two sisters-Grace & Marion Longfellow.