Margery Hall Howard

margeryMargery Hall Howard, born in Philadelphia on June 20, 1921, passed away peacefully in her sleep early on April 11, 2015. 

Margery attended Smith College, where she majored in History and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  She married Robert R. Howard Jr. on February 22, 1943.  

Margery and Bob had four children while living in New Canaan, Connecticut, and South Williamstown, Massachusetts.  After ten challenging and memorable years in a New England farm house with horses, apple trees, gardens and all the adventures associated with raising a family and multiple pets, the Howards moved to New Jersey.  There Margery earned an M.S. in Library Service from Rutgers University.  The family moved back to Massachusetts in 1966 to be closer to their beloved summer home on Chebeague Island in Maine.  Margery worked as a reference librarian at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington.  During her 22 year career, she was promoted to Reference Supervisor, served several terms as Acting Assistant Director, and was honored shortly before retirement late in 1988 as the Lexington Town Employee of the Year. 

Retirement provided an opportunity for Bob & Marge to move to Yarmouth and spend most of the year on Chebeague Island where they had helped found the library in 1965.  On Chebeague Margery pursued her love of gardening and delighted in visits from her grandchildren, whom she initiated into the joys of gathering shells, painting sand dollars and digging clams. 

Though reserved by nature, Marge was a loyal friend, especially to her Smith College housemates with whom she continued to correspond until shortly before her death.  She was loved by many for her wit, inquisitiveness, unpretentious grace and resourcefulness. 

Marge is predeceased by two younger brothers, Douglas Hall and Alan Hall, and her husband Robert.  She is survived by her four children, Rob, Chris, Jean and John, and seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren who will miss her tremendously.  Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, April 19 at noon in the Congregational Church of Henniker, New Hampshire.

 

There will be a Memorial Service on August 8th in the afternoon at the Chebeague Methodist Church. The family would like to thank everyone for the cards and wishes and to say that the short weeks at the nursing home were quite wonderful, better than we had hoped.

Click here for a Memorial Video produced by her son John.