Marjorie Davies

Marjorie Grace Benson Real Davies, 92, died January 11th of heart failure. Marjorie was born May 31, 1924, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, daughter of the late Roy E. Benson and Grace Gorham Benson of Minneapolis, MN. She was predeceased by her first husband, Harry A. Real, and her second husband, Robert S. Davies. Known as “Benny” by her childhood friends, she spent summers sailing in regattas throughout the upper Midwest. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1944, she moved to New York City, where she worked for Pan American Airlines and later for Avianca Airlines at their offices in Bogotá, Colombia. There she met and married Harry A. Real in 1948. Following Harry’s death in 1973, she worked for many years at Oceana Publications in Dobbs Ferry and Houston Associates of Mamaroneck. She was a devoted member of the St. James the Less Church in Scarsdale, NY, where she sang in the choir, was a member of the Altar Guild and served on the Vestry for years including a year as the first female Senior Warden. She was a recipient of the Audrey Davies award for her service to the church. In 1986 she married fellow parishioner Robert S. Davies. Recognized for her leadership and passionate dedication to civic engagement, she was 50 year member of the League of Women Voters serving in numerous capacities on the Board of the White Plains chapter including two terms as President. She was also a long-time member of the Board of Ethics for the City of White Plains, and a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels of White Plains. Marjorie travelled extensively to destinations such as Machu Picchu, eastern Turkey, and China, and was especially fond of the Davies’ Cape Cod cottage in Falmouth Heights, MA where she stayed every August for nearly 30 years with family and friends. Throughout her life, Marjorie was a voracious reader and lover of music, art, theater, cooking, and wine. Colleagues and friends came to know her with respect and affection, for her keen intellect, genuine interest and concern for others, and a vivacious and gregarious personality. Marjorie is survived by her children: Stephen B. Real and his wife Nancy Bloom of New York City, Pamela G. Real of White Plains, and William A. Real and his wife Pamela Geary of Pittsburgh, PA; three grandchildren, Emma Tardif of Manchester, NH, Kay Real of Brooklyn, NY, and Lilian Real of Pittsburgh, PA. She was also devoted to her three step-sons Sanders, Robert, and Allan Davies, and their families. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 4, at 11:00 at St. James the Less Church, 10 Church Lane, Scarsdale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marjorie’s memory to: League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, 62 Grand St., Albany, NY, 12207, and Meals on Wheels of White Plains, 311 North Street, White Plains, NY, 10605.