Marj's Obituary
Marj & Willard --> here
|
|
|
Marjorie Elaine Henderson Roe died Thursday, June 23, 2011 at her home from natural causes, surrounded by her loving family.
Marjorie was born in Winter Haven, Florida to Frederick Theodore and Claire Stroy Henderson on February 28, 1923. She attended William & Mary College, Florida State College for Women and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with a BS in Accounting. After graduation, she took her boards and became the first woman CPA in the state of North Carolina. She worked briefly in an accounting firm in North Carolina before moving back to Florida, where she went to work with her dad in the family gift fruit business, Henderson Groves. She was active in her hometown, playing the leads in the community theatre, and during this post WWII era, she met and married her husband of 57 years, then a "Full Bird" Colonel, Ret. and Winter Haven native, Willard Etheredge Roe.
Marjorie was a champion of children, raising seven of her own and reaching out to many more through her life’s work in her church and community. She was active in children’s education programs at First Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and promoted musical opportunities for youth. She was instrumental in the founding of the Winter Haven Youth Orchestra and personally organized a European trip and concert tour of Romania. Along the way, she founded a summer youth music camp concept she called 'String Fling', hosted at her home on Vero Beach for many years. She was a tireless children’s advocate in every organization that she supported.
She loved her family and expressed that unconditional love through the gift of her time and treasures. She extended that generosity to employees, caregivers, as well as other civic organizations and benevolences throughout her life. Marjorie was a consummate host and gourmet cook, who alongside her husband, graciously opened up their home to family, friends and organizations for worthy causes, holiday gatherings, milestones and celebrated events in the Winter Haven community. She was a Member Emeritus of the The Garden Club of Winter Haven and a master flower arranger, a Lifetime Award Recipient of Presbyterian Women USA, and a past recipient of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Bankers Cup Award.
Marjorie is predeceased by her husband Willard and beloved daughter Marjorie, sister Patricia Brewer Azorin and brother Frederick J. Henderson. She is survived by her sister-in-law Eleanor Henderson, daughters Ellen R. Miller (Marjorie), Donna Roe Daniell and Bob Castellino (Julian, Joren), Martha and Joe Burke (Margaret Allison), and sons William and Carol Roe (W. Gee III, April, and Geoffrey), Quentin and Lori Roe (Eric, Adam) and Morgan and Patti Roe (Stephen, Abigail, John Morgan, Julia, and Joshua), as well as many nephews and nieces and her dear friend and caregiver, Melissa Morris.
Visitation will be at Crisp-Coon Funeral Home in Winter Haven on Monday, June 27, 2011 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday afternoon, June 28, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Girls Incorporated.
