Marjorie G. Clarke of Woodbury, Connecticut, died March 8th surrounded by her loving children. Born May 16, 1933, she was raised the only child of Clarence and Mildred (Cronan) Green in Waterbury. Attending the St. Peter and Paul School through eighth grade, she graduated from Crosby High School and went on the get her BFA from Boston University beginning a life-long love of that city. Once graduated, Marjorie remained in Boston working as a fashion illustrator for a noted department store creating full page newspaper ads with the latest silhouettes of the time. In 1956 she married Robert Clarke whom she dated since their days at Crosby High. They moved on to Waterville, Maine for Bob’s teaching post at Colby College and while there the family began to grow. From there it was on to New Milford, CT, Wellesley, MA, out to Long Island in NY then finally settling in Ridgefield, CT with their four children and Marjorie began to flourish.

While always finding a way to be creative when home with children; a painted child level kitchen mural of a barnyard, interior decorating, painting on driftwood for friends when they lived by the ocean, etc., Marjorie began to have some time for herself. Using found objects she created ornamental dried flower arrangements that drew attention and people’s desire to own one for themselves. She related to the world primarily through her aesthetics.

When she returned to the work world, she joined the retail team at the esteemed Ann Stephens in Ridgefield, a women’s clothing store. For the remainder of her life, she lauded the owners for their encouragement and for fostering her talents in display work. She became a manager and moved between stores merchandising and creating visual and stylish sophistication. Marjorie herself, was a fashion plate and wore clothes well. More than once women actually bought the clothes off her back. She moved on to Talbot’s in Ridgefield then Westport, doing more of the same though being sent by the company farther afield to put her touch on stores. Ahead of her time in multiple ways, it was well after she’d made her retail mark that the trend within the industry and designers began incorporating similar flair in their stores.

Marjorie would often opt to walk to work and other outings, miles at a time though not for the exercise, but could be seen in her ankle length skirts dressed for nearly any occasion, forever picking up litter along the way. Growing up during the Depression cemented her approach to life and for decades before they were a trend, a sign hung in their home stating “Live Simply So Others Can Simply Live.” She held a deep devotion to Saint Anthony and his works, David Hogg for his unrelenting work for gun safety and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for their dedication to Habitat for Humanity of which she was a supporter. She cherished a photo of herself with Rosalynn and when David Hogg was in Newtown at a rally a photograph appeared in the paper of her speaking with him, and though it was only the back of her head her friends recognized her – and alerted her to it.

She had a sly and unexpected wit and enjoyed a good laugh. Her passions were aesthetic in nature, creating decorative and alluring ‘stories,’ whether with clothing, antiques or landscaping that would draw you in and make you want to linger. With her painting days behind her, she continued to sketch people and small things within her view that went unnoticed by most. The artist’s eye within was always at work. She sang around the house while her children were growing, and exposed them to music that has stood the test of time. Life and people were precious to her. Once a friend of hers you would be remembered forever and held and visited often in her heart.

All through the years her home was a focal point for her and she filled it with her appreciation of Early American antiques. She married her interest and career joining the local world of antiques and loving her time working with everyone at the Ridgefield Antiques Center. Marjorie and Bob were regular attendees of the Friday night Nutmeg Auctions in Woodbury and made many friends in the area. When moving from Ridgefield they built a lovely home in Woodbury and Marjorie treasured her time then working at Grass Roots as well as the Main Street Antiques Center, enjoying the company of good friends with a shared passion.

Predeceased by her husband Bob of nearly 70 years, Marjorie is survived by her sons David, John and Peter and her devoted daughter Elizabeth. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and also great grandchildren and dear friends who became family throughout the years. In Marjorie’s memory, or for your own good deed, pick up some litter you find and help create a better world for others. Then brew yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy it with a hard roll and butter.