MARJORIE E. WILKES
NORTH NORWICH – Marjorie (Marge) Ella Wilkes, 88 of North Norwich, NY passed away at her home on Friday, August 21st, 2015. She was born August 14th, 1928 to Eilias and Mable (O’Dell) Leib at the family farm in South New Berlin. She resided on the farm in her early years, proudly graduating from the South New Berlin High School in 1945. She then moved to Norwich, where she met her future husband, marrying Thomas L. Wilkes of North Norwich on April 24th, 1948 at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Norwich. They celebrated almost 48 years of marriage before his death on April 1st, 1996.
Marge is survived by her children; Larry (Jan Waters) Wilkes, Endicott, Thomas (Mary) Wilkes, Glen Burnie Maryland, James Wilkes, Oxford and Robyn (Mike) Weaver, Norwich and a daughter in-law, Lonnie Wilkes. One son, Gerald (Jerry) Wilkes preceded her in death. Marge’s legacy also includes her dear grandchildren who she so loved; Jason Wilkes, Chad Wilkes, Nicole Scott, Tara Nashett, Erin Wilkes Kreutzer, Ashley Wilkes, Nikita Wilkes, Taylor Wilkes, Cameron Wilkes, Jacob Wilkes, Luke Wilkes, Ian Weaver, and Alec Weaver. She was predeceased by her special granddaughter Erica Wilkes. She is also survived by sixteen great grandchildren. Two sisters also survive; Alma Holowatz, Unadilla and Phyllis Brownell, South New Berlin. A sister in-law also survives, Marianna Leib, Oneonta. As well, Marge leaves her dog and loving companion Fritz, who was by her side until the end. She was predeceased by her brothers, Lewis Leib, Lyle Leib and sisters Evelyn Goodrich, Alice Ulman, Frances Edwards, and Norma Pratt.
In addition to being a homemaker and raising a large family, Marge worked at various local industries of the day, among them, the Norwich Silk Manufacturing Company and the Norwich Shoe Company. She also worked as a waitress at two well-known local restaurants, Stefanelli’s and Taylor’s Country House in the late 1960’s. She retired from Simmonds Precision in 1982. Always busy, her true calling and source of great pride were her gardens. Never to sit around, after retirement and right up until the very end of her life, Marge put all her energy into vegetable and flower gardening. Although often in pain from severe osteoporosis, she was the happiest when she was outside and working. Her harvests were plentiful and she was known to leave bushels of vegetables by the road with a ‘FREE’ sign for anyone to take and enjoy as well as for calling her friends and neighbors to stop by to pick up. Her green thumb was well known and people would always comment on her beautiful flower baskets and flower gardens. Marge was so deeply loved by all her children and grandchildren. Her passing has left a large void only made easier by knowing she is no longer in pain.
Services will be at R. J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich. Calling hours will be on Friday, August 28th from 6-8 and Saturday, August 29th from noon until 1pm. Funeral services will be held at 1pm, Rev. Stephen Reese will officiate, with interment immediately following at the North Norwich cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the North Norwich Cemetery Association, PO Box 249, North Norwich, NY 13815 or to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Rd 32, Norwich, NY 13815, www.chenangospca.org
‘If we had a single flower for each thought of you… …We could walk in our garden forever’