Marion E. Temple

NORFOLK — Marion Elizabeth Wilson Temple entered this world on March 9, 1924, to Frank and Cora (McColley) Wilson, who lived on a farm in Harbson, Del. When Marion was young her family left Delaware and moved to Broomall, Pa., where she started school. She enjoyed helping her father with his carpentry business and spent much of her time caring for her two younger sisters, Alberta and Leilia, as well as other children that she nannied. Marion enjoyed school, bowling and playing the violin as well as being a talented artist, seamstress and knitter. At 14 she began dating a young man but soon realized it was not him that she loved but his younger brother, Oscar Temple, instead. When Marion was in 11th grade she left Marple Newtown Senior High School to care for her ailing mother. She married Oscar in a private ceremony on Feb. 1, 1942, before he departed to serve in the war. While Oscar was working as a quartermaster for the Allied Forces in Europe, Marion lived with her parents and helped the war effort by joining other “Rosie the Riveters” making parts in a munitions factory and working in a ship yard. After the war, Oscar and Marion started their own contracting business, and Marion helped by keeping the books, handling the payroll and could even enlist her services building a set of stairs. She also augmented the family income by acting as an Avon and Tupperware distributor. Their first child, Dennis Bradley, was born in 1949 and their second son, Roger Eugene, in 1951. During these years the family moved into a house Oscar built for them in Newtown Square, Pa., where they remained until 1979 when they moved to Kennett Square, Pa. She was involved in the PTA, bowling league, bridge club, participated in competitive flower arranging, gardened, painted, spent time at their lake cabin in the Pocono Mountains, cleaned and cooked up the bounty of Oscar’s hunting ventures, raised two sons, numerous dogs, cats and even a baby alligator! Marion enjoyed sewing projects, knitting Barbie clothes for the neighbor girls, dancing, reading and cruising around town in her pink Dodge. But her first love and allegiance was to her family; she was a caregiver at heart and wanted to help others as much as she could. Marion had a lifetime membership to the Kennett Square, Senior Center and enjoyed going almost daily for card games, bingo and lunch. Her life also revolved around caring for her declining mother after her father passed away and for her husband in his failing health. Sadly, on Christmas Eve of 1992, Oscar, her husband of over 50 years, passed away with Marion by his side. In 2009 she moved to Norfolk where her son Dennis and his family had relocated. Marion’s last years were spent in an assisted living facility where the highlight of her days were visits from family and friends and coming to know and be known by her grandchildren in Nebraska. They enjoyed bringing her home for meals, taking her to community events, watching shows together, hearing stories about her younger years and learning from her how to live a life full of passion. She accepted Christ as her Savior during her last months of life, and the peace, surrender, love and child-like faith that resulted from that decision noticeably changed her. Marion was escorted to her eternal home in her Heavenly Father’s arms on Monday Feb. 17, 2014, at The Madison House. She will be deeply missed by her son, Dennis and wife Patricia Temple of Norfolk, Roger and wife Theresa Temple of Lincoln University, Pa.; grandchildren Vicky Temple of Lincoln University, Laura Temple of Newark, Del., Joanna Wiese and husband Matt of Dayton, Ohio, Melissa Temple, Stephen Temple, Benjamin Temple and Erica Temple of Norfolk and Julia Temple of Upland, Ind.; sisters Alberta and husband Wally Irving of Hopkinton, Mass., and Leilia Hally of West Chester, Pa., as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Oscar, miscarried twin babies and parents Frank and Cora Wilson. Stonacek Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The memorial service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. at The Madison House in Norfolk. A second memorial and interment will take place at a later date in Lincoln University. Marion cared and felt deeply for all living things, especially the unwanted and vulnerable, so a memorial has been set up in Marion’s name at the Animal Shelter of Northeast Nebraska. Donations can be sent in her honor to ASNN, P.O. Box 663, Norfork, NE 68702.

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Marion E. Temple

March 9, 1924 - February 17, 2014