Marjorie Hunt

Marjorie "Margie" Hunt, woman of the church, administrative assistant extraordinaire, world traveler, and beloved mother, sister and grandmother, passed away Tuesday, June 12, at the age of 88.

Margie is best remembered for her no-nonsense, can-do attitude, her tireless work with the Lowman United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, and her service to many organizations in Topeka. She was a Campfire Girls leader, a Kiwanis Club president, a volunteer in the Kansas Museum of History Gift Shop and founder of the Washburn University Retired Secretaries.

A Topekan most of her life, Margie was born Dec. 1, 1923, as Marjorie May McConnell to Charles Newton and Alice Jane (Carson) McConnell. She graduated Topeka High School in 1941. She worked the graveyard shift as a teletypist for the Sante Fe Railroad. There, she met her dear friend Annzo Hunt, who introduced her brother, I.B., to Margie. I.B. and Margie were married Oct. 5, 1947. They were together until I.B.'s death in 1989. Margie stayed home to raise her two children, but went back to work for Washburn University as an administrative assistant in the treasurer's office.

Margie has been called feisty, but extraordinary is more appropriate. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to get the college education she didn't. At 82, she fulfilled her dream of seeing Ireland. Fiercely independent, Margie liked to do things herself, which explains why, at 80 years old, she bought herself a chainsaw to cut up branches when no one else would. Margie rarely complained, and believed hard work and strong moral conviction were the keys to happiness – values she instilled in her children and grandchildren.

Margie is survived by her son, Mark Alan (Cyndy); her daughter, Diane Elisse Hunt Schafer (Dale), all of Topeka; and her grandchildren: Alex Hunt, San Rafael, Calif.; Alice Claire Hunt, Lawrence; Andy Schafer (Sara), Topeka; and Adam Schafer, Topeka. She is also survived by her nieces and their families. She was predeceased by her sister Dorothy McConnell McGill.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th St., Topeka. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Lowman United Methodist Church, 4000 SW Drury Lane (Gage & Drury), Topeka. Graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, 17th & Fairlawn, Topeka. Donations may be made to Lowman UMC.