Marjorie C. Keegan

A natural-born leader, Marjorie Keegan could always be counted on to serve on or chair a committee, whether it was for Girl Scouts or the Women's League. Her faithful community service was appreciated and admired by many different people throughout her life. Despite her busy life, however, Marjorie's first and highest commitment was always to her family, whom she cared for, supported, and loved unconditionally.

Marjorie was born on November 10, 1919, a simpler time in America when milk cost thirty-two cents a gallon, Ford's "Model T" was the automobile of choice, and only one in a thousand couples were divorced. The proud parents were Clarence and Blanche (Ruprecht) Cheadle. As the youngest, Marjorie was the baby of the family and looked up to her older brother and sister, George and Mary Jean. At the time of Marjorie's birth, the Cheadle family lived in Peoria, Illinois. However, they soon moved to Detroit and later to Dearborn, Michigan, which became the site of Marjorie's fond childhood memories.

Clarence Cheadle was the head of the publicity department at the Ford Motor Company, and as a result Marjorie had some unique experiences. She loved to recount the story of how she once square-danced with Henry Ford - she said it was her "claim to fame!" Apparently, Marjorie had been enrolled in a series of dance classes which were held in the Ford Engineering Laboratories. Mr. Ford must have been a dance aficionado himself, since he often turned up at the classes and joined in. One day, he chose Marjorie as his partner and she was able dance a jig with one of America's most well-known businessmen.

When the time came, Marjorie was enrolled in the St. Alphonsus High School where she successfully completed all her classes. After graduation, Marjorie decided to pursue higher education and became a student of the nearby University of Michigan. She kept in touch with a few of her friends from St. Alphonsus, however - in particular, a young man named William J. Keegan, Jr. Marjorie and Bill were high school sweethearts, and Marjorie soon became engaged to the man who would be the one love of her life. On May 16, 1942, the happy couple was pleased to invite friends and family to join them for a wedding and reception. After their honeymoon, the Keegans settled down in Dearborn.

Over next few years, Marjorie and Bill were blessed with three beautiful babies: Martha, Patricia, and Christopher. One of Marjorie's greatest enjoyments was caring for her husband and children, tasks which she performed with grace and joy throughout her entire life. Marjorie was very supportive of all her children's activities, and prided herself on creating a warm, welcoming home. Marjorie became actively involved in some of these activities, such as her daughters' Girl Scout troop. When Marjorie became the junior troop leader in Dearborn, she never dreamed that she would be involved in the organization for the next twenty-two years! In addition to serving as a junior leader, Marjorie was also a cadette troop leader, a troop organizer, a day camp counselor and a neighborhood chairwoman. In recognition of her many years of dedicated volunteer service, Marjorie was awarded a special badge by the local Girl Scout council. Marjorie was also a faithful Catholic throughout her life, a member of St. Monica Parish.

Although the Keegans only had three children, Marjorie found a second son in Uwe Querfeld. Dr. Uwe Querfeld, of Berlin, Germany, lived with the family as an exchange student while attending Hackett Catholic High School with Chris. Always kind-hearted, Marjorie opened her home to Uwe and made sure that he felt like one of the family. As a result, Uwe and the Keegans developed a close relationship, and to this day he is still in touch with his American family.

After a number of years in the Detroit area, the Keegan family moved to Kalamazoo when Bill, who was a heating and air-conditioning specialist, accepted a position with the Clarage Fan Company. Marjorie wasted no time in becoming an active member of her new community, joining both the Glowing Embers Council and Welcome Wagon International. Marjorie assumed lots of responsibility in these two organizations, serving as a leader, trainer, neighborhood cookie chairwoman and member of the board of directors in the first and as a hostess and area supervisor in the second. Organized and dedicated, Marjorie happily participated in these organizations until she and Bill purchased Labadie Arts & Crafts, an art store business. At this time, Marjorie decided to try on a new hat and become an entrepreneur, running the store with Bill for the next ten years until their retirement.

When she wasn't caring for her family or community, Marjorie enjoyed bowling, golfing, and playing bridge. She played all three at the Women's League of the Kalamazoo Elks Lodge, and often joined her husband for the couple's competitions. In addition, both Marjorie and Bill loved to travel, and took full advantage of their retirement years to explore the world. They visited Hawaii, Mexico, Bermuda, Turkey, Greece and other European countries, as well as many different locations in the United States. They enjoyed cruises too, sailing to the Greek Islands, the Caribbean, Alaska and the Panama Canal.

Just as Marjorie was a loving, affectionate mother, she became a wonderful grandmother to seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Especially in the years following Bill's death in 1999, Marjorie loved nothing more than to spend time with her children and her children's children.

Dedicated and organized as well as fun-loving and affectionate, Marjorie will be lovingly remembered by the many friends and family members who were a part of her full life.

Marjorie Keegan, age 85 of Kalamazoo, died August 14, 2005 at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Joseph Keegan in 1999; a brother George Cheadle and a sister Mary Jean Straub. Members of Marjorie's family include her three children, Martha (Larry) Braithwaite of Kalamazoo, Patricia Clapper of Northville, and Christopher (Mary Ann) Keegan of Erlanger, KY; seven grandchildren, Bradley and Shannon Braithwaite, Carolyn Smargesse, Scott, Nancy and Joseph Clapper, and Aaron Keegan; and by three great grandchildren, Grant and Richard Clapper and Dominic Smargesse.

Learn more about Marjorie, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, Stadium Drive (West of US-131) where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church with interment in Genessee Prairie Cemetery. To archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Pet Resources Network or Catholic Family Services, please visit Marjorie's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.