Marion Grace Greenhow Morley

Marion Greenhow Morley entered Heaven Tuesday Morning, November 12, 2024, after living a wonderful life filled with God’s many blessings. She rejoiced in serving the Lord, as evidenced by her favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 31:3 – “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’”.

Marion rarely shied away from a good story – in fact, just as nature abhors a vacuum, she (and her sisters) abhorred silence. She much preferred the joyful sounds of laughter, singing, or simply pleasant company exchanging stories.

A master storyteller herself, she couldn’t tell a funny joke if you wrote it down and had her read it. However, she could spin a story that would put you on the edge of your seat, have you roll your eyes, then get you laughing to the point of tears at the fanciful situation she created.

Marion was also a skilled milliner and loved wearing her many flamboyant hats, as well as a jeweler, even creating Dave's wedding band. Finally, her singing voice could be found and heard on commercials playing on radio stations throughout the local Windsor/Detroit area throughout the 30s and 40s.

But she viewed storytelling as something special, the way an artist views a white canvas, or a potter sees a pile of clay - a special gift for her to create for all to enjoy.

Her life was a rich tapestry of colorful stories, with each decade telling a different story, all woven together to highlight her love for her Savior:

Marion was born August 13, 1919 in Walkerville, Ontario (a division of Windsor, Ontario) to Hubert and Gladys Greenhow, the second oldest of 5 girls (her older sister Helen, and younger sisters Ruth, Beth and Jan). Though she lived through the Great Depression of 1929, her father’s business as a renowned commercial artist allowed them to live with minimal negative impact on an economic scale. However, important life lessons were being learned and absorbed that she would carry with her throughout the rest of her life. In addition, she had a true love for water and was selected as an alternate swimmer for Canada in the 1938 Olympics.

In the 1940s, she answered the call to World War II by joining the Ford Motor Company to help build the thousands of military vehicles needed to win the war. During this time, David Morley, an elementary school classmate and her sweetheart, enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent off to the Pacific Theater. When he came home on leave in 1944, they took the opportunity to get married.

The 1950s introduced her to parenthood, giving birth to three sons - David (1950), Richard (1952), Mark (1957), and one daughter, Leslea (1959). As she focused her attention on raising their family, her husband finetuned his medical career into the field of psychiatry, and in 1956 they moved from Kingston, Ontario to Greenwich, CT.

It was the 1960s that saw her flourish, as Marion recognized that she was being blessed with a unique opportunity to serve the Lord. Having moved to Ridgefield in the early 60s, Marion and David joined the Jerry McAuley Water Street Mission (now called the New York Rescue Mission - the oldest mission in the country). She was selected as head of the Women’s Auxiliary to the mission while David was placed on the Board. Every Thursday night (from the mid-60s until the early 90s) she and Dave would drive to the mission in lower Manhattan. There he would give free psychiatric care and attention to the downtrodden, while she helped hand out clothing, offer food, and provide shelter and training to the men. Not satisfied, she then headed up the Fairfield County American Red Cross, leading countless Blood Drives throughout the region, and ongoing Bible studies held throughout the year.

Blessed to be living in a large Ridgefield mansion, she dedicated this newfound lifestyle to God’s purpose, hosting countless social gatherings, soirees, meetings and parties for her many associated groups, including hosting the International Students (an organization dedicated to sharing the love of Christ with international students, equipping them with effective service – it was through this organization that Shoichi Kobayashi (Kobe) entered the Morley family and became a welcome member). She especially enjoyed bringing the men from the Mission on up from NYC for events and holding garden parties for the Christian Women’s Club (of which she was President). They created many memorable Christmas parties for her beloved White Plains Gospel Chapel, to name just a few. In fact, throughout this time there were very few “open” weekends.

Pleased but still not satisfied, the 1970s saw her turn her energy to volunteering at the Southbury Training School, an institution dedicated to helping families with children who have special needs. During this time, she became an active member of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization – a sisterhood passionate to celebrating, supporting and motivating women). She joined the NY Bible Study Society, all while continuing to hold many Bible studies at her home. With her husband’s commute from Ridgefield to Greenwich becoming more of a drain, Marion and David decided to leave the sweet countryside of Ridgefield for the more cosmopolitan Greenwich, where they again blossomed.

It was during this time that one of her more popular stories came to pass: she and Dave were invited to a small private dinner party at the home of a prominent banker. As they sat down, the “Guest of Honor” came in to join them – Yankee Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio. As he graciously walked around the table to introduce himself, Marion held out her hand. As he took it, she rolled her eyes and exclaimed, “Welp, you’re probably going to ask me for my autograph!” Joe was speechless as everyone else bellowed with laughter.

The 1980s saw her “nest” grow empty, as her children all married and were now gifting her with the blessings of grandchildren. During this time, she went to school and became a travel agent at Greenwich Travel, a position that allowed her and Dave to travel the world, which they did quite often. However, still hearing the call to serve, she was placed on the Board of Directors at The King’s College, where she received an Honorary Degree.

The 1990s brought unexpected challenges - early on her beloved husband David was sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and she bid him farewell on September 16, 1994. Having relocated to Boca Raton, she dutifully immersed herself in the needs of the Boca Raton Bible Chapel, as she and her dear friend Elise Clark (inseparable friends from the 50s on) shored up the hospitality portion of the assembly, much to everyone’s delight.

However, it was in the 2000’s that she shifted gears and truly spread her creative wings – in 2004, she announced to her family that she had been taking evening classes and had finally graduated from the school – it was official: she became a certified clown, traveling to local children’s hospitals to entertain and lift their spirits with a troupe called “The Ha Has”. She said how she’d loved clowns as a little girl and had always wanted to be a clown – however, being married to such an accomplished psychiatrist, it might have sent an uncomfortable “awkward” message to potential patients…!

In the 2010s she continued her devotion to the Lord’s work, dedicating her free time to serving the Lord in the greater Boca Raton community until she suffered a significant unfortunate fall. Realizing that all her family was back in New England, she made the decision to move back, setting up residence at The Mews back in Greenwich CT.

She immediately fell in love with The Mews and their staff, as well as all the residents, who became her extended family. Having moved back, it allowed her much more personal time to spend with her precious immediate family. There was a constant flow of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren coming into The Mews to deposit their many varied life stories with her and walking out feeling enriched.

Marion and Dave's sanctuary for decades was their beautiful cottage located on Wolfe Island, the largest island in the Thousand Islands region. Every summer was spent there enjoying important time to relax and prepare for the next challenge life brought. The cottage remains in the Morley name and continues to be a reliable source for unwinding and enjoying God's bounty. In honor of Marion's passing, flags in the village of Marysville on Wolfe Island have been lowered to half-mast.

She is survived by her sister Ruth Way, her three sons: David (Margie), Richard (Martie) and Mark (Sandra), her daughter Leslea (Daniel), 13 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

Marion Morley lived a sterling life that was a living example of the phrase, “The More You Give, The More You Get”.

God’s special chosen soldier can finally rest in Glory.

Funeral arrangements have been made and will be held at 2pm on Saturday December 7, 2024 at Stanwich Congregational Church in Greenwich CT. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made out to "The Mews" and sent to:

The Mews

1/2 Bolling Place

Greenwich CT 06830