Marjorie Lucille Deitz, 96, formerly of Hillsdale, New York, died November 26, 2019, in Northbridge, Massachusetts.
Born March 5, 1923, in Wilson, New York, Marjorie was the second of two children born to Herbert and Rose Schultz. The first in her family to attend college, she was a graduate of Hartwick College, where she met her husband and beloved companion of 72 years, Charles Deitz. After their wedding, Marjorie worked as a librarian while she and Charles lived in the Albany area for several years. In 1952 they moved to Massapequa Park, New York, where Charles began ministry at St. David’s Lutheran Church. In 1962 Marjorie began a 20-year career as an English teacher at J.P. McKenna Junior High School in Massapequa Park, while raising three children and taking on many responsibilities at St. David’s. Somehow she found time to enjoy crossword puzzles, and was twice selected as a contestant to the final competition round of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament sponsored by the New York Times. Marjorie enjoyed traveling, and eventually visited all 50 states on family vacations, most of which are remembered fondly by her children.
In 1982, Marjorie and Charles retired and moved to Hillsdale, where they led the formation of a new mission church, Trinity Lutheran (now Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield, Massachusetts). Marjorie was active in the Hillsdale community, including many years of service as a librarian and volunteer coordinator for the Roeliff Jansen Community Library. Throughout all her many activities, visits from her grandchildren remained the highlight.
She is survived by her children: David of Westport, Massachusetts, Janine of Brooklyn, New York, and Douglas of Concord, Massachusetts; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Deitz Sept. 21, 2017.
The funeral will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m. at Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield, Massachusetts. There will be no calling hours. Donations in memory of Marjorie may be made to Roeliff Jansen Community Library through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to the family, go to www.finnertyandstevens.com.
