Marjorie Anne Peters

Marjorie Ann Peters was born in Long Beach California in 1922. Orphaned before the age of three, she was passed around through the family until adopted by an aunt who married at age 50. When Marjorie attended Pasadena City College, she met the love of her life on a blind date: Ken Peters. Soon they were married, and Ken was drafted into the army. It was 1940 and World War II was in full swing,. Ken was then sent to North Africa where he made maps for the allies. Meanwhile, Marjorie was pregnant with her first born, daughter Ann Marie, who did not meet her father until she was two, in 1945, the end of the War. Ken returned home, and shortly, Susan Jo joined the family. The two little girls suffered from chronic bronchitis due to the heavy smog in the LA basin at that time. Ken moved his family to Santa Rosa in Northern California where there was fresh air. They bought four acres east of town, and Marjorie adapted to country life, which included many different animals. Sometimes she would be feeding a lamb with a bottle in the kitchen. or helping with the chickens, the horses or the family goat. As her girls grew older, Marjorie took a job as a dental assistant to provide for the aunt who had raised her, and now needed care herself. During all these years, Marjorie pursued her interest in the arts, dabbling in all kinds of media: silk screen, calligraphy, pen & ink, watercolor, oils. She had natural talent, and often would help her girls with school projects by adding lettering or artwork. After Ann Marie (Annie) married Jim Lawrie from Edinburgh, Scotland, and Susan Jo (Susie) married Allan Bert from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Ken went back to school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for job re-training, and Marjorie took many art classes there as well. For a time, she created three-dimensional books for the blind and was featured in the local newspaper. After graduation, Marge and Ken moved to the Bay Area to be closer to family, and Marge continued with her artwork, eventually doing all kinds of art projects with her four grandchildren. Their favorite memory is of making candles on the beach with Gram & Gramps, as they called them. Marjorie also made posters and signs for Jim & Annie when they sold Scottish shortbread at different Highland Games, and cut out literally thousands of craft projects for granddaughter Heather, a craft counselor at Mt. Hermon.

Marjorie’s life changed radically in her 50’s when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a mastectomy, one of her pastors shared Jesus Christ with her. She opened her heart to the Lord, and was then better able to handle the passing of Ken in 1989. As a widow, she served the Lord for years at her church in Cupertino: working in the library, arranging memorials for grieving families, and decorating for many social events. When Marjorie’s mobile home park was sold, she moved to The Village Retirement Community in Portland, again to be near family. She was by then in her 80’s and managed the move from California to Oregon all by herself. Still serving the Lord at Central Bible Church, in Portland, she welcomed visitors, wrote notes to the shut-ins, and volunteered with PREP4Kids. Continuing to drive her Honda Civic (a stick shift) until age 93, she remained fiercely independent. Finally unable to care for herself, she spent the last ten months of her life at Village Health Care, where many loving and caring staff took care of all her needs. Her kindness, generous spirit, and sense of humor endeared her to all who knew her. Marjorie dearly loved the Lord, family, people, especially children, the beach, birds, animals, flowers and art. She was a great blessing to all who knew her! Marjorie is survived by her daughter, Ann Marie Lawrie, grandson Jamie Lawrie, his wife, Natalie & their sons, Drew & Evan, granddaughter Heather Lawrie, all of Portland, and daughter Susan Bert and her husband, Allan of Modesto, California, and granddaughters, Alicia Bert of San Francisco and Melissa Bert of Morris, Minnesota. Donations in her name can be given to m.Prep4Kids.org