Marjory L. St. Peter, 91, of Stanton passed away on Monday, September 8, 2014 at the Masonic Home in Alma. Marge was born on September 11, 1922, in Lansing to George Clare and Gladys Isabelle (Hoffman) Pollard. She attended several schools and graduated from Vestaburg High School in 1940 with her future husband, Virgil St. Peter. She attended County Normal Teachers College and taught in one-room schools near Vestaburg and Edmore.
She and Irene (Vencil) Hardy began their 75 year friendship in high school. Throughout Marge’s life, whenever she and Irene got together, they loved to tell stories and laugh about their adventures. Fortunately, neither was arrested during these adventures.
On August 19, 1943, Marge married Virgil near Camp Polk, Louisiana before he left for World War II. During the War, she worked in Ionia at the Defense Plant and she was a drummer in the dance hall in Riverdale which her parents ran.
After the War, Marge and Virg moved to East Lansing and lived there until Virg graduated from Michigan State University in 1949. While they were there, Marge enjoyed her clerical job at the MSU School of Veterinary Science. In the early 50’s, they built their first house in Vestaburg while expanding their family. During this time Marge worked at Carboloy in Edmore as an office clerk.
In 1961 they moved to Stanton where Virg was a teacher. Marge had many hobbies and interests. When her children were very young, she taught Red Cross swimming classes in the Vestaburg area. In Stanton, she taught the neighborhood kids how to swim. She took every available sewing class offered by the extension office and made many clothes for her family. She tried - with mixed results- to teach her children to sew, knit, and crochet. She also enjoyed making baskets and pine cone wreaths, playing piano by ear, traveling, reading, playing cards, and watching sports. She was a devoted Tigers and Pistons fan, whether they were winning or losing.
A staunch advocate for those with disabilities, Marge was co-founder of The ARC Montcalm with Ruth Bedore. Later she worked for H&R Block, knocked on doors for the U.S. Census Bureau, worked for the Red Cross blood drives, the City of Stanton Board of Review and Election Board. During this period, she also attended her children's school activities, sporting events, and was a 4-H leader. In the 70's she could often be found in various administrative offices at the high school, defending the rights of female athletes. She always told her daughters that they could be whatever they wanted if they were willing to work hard.
Marge is survived by her children, Michele St. Peter of Georgia, Susan St. Peter of Ohio, Diane and Jeff Lowell of Stanton, Tom St. Peter of Stanton, and Jane and Tom Broussard of Louisiana; her brother, Harvey and Eileen Pollard; her sister-in-law, Velita St. Peter; many nieces, nephews, her family at First Baptist Church of Stanton and her BFF, Irene Hardy.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Virgil; their son, Virgil Jr.; her son in law, Donald Ogle; her sister, Frances Wood; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Jim Wood, Karl, Lois, and Don St. Peter, John and Ruth Mayer, Ella and Evan Erskin, Freda and Glen Welch; nieces and nephews, Patsy Hansel, Freda Mayer, and Doug, Tim, and Cindy Welch; and many friends.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at the Barden Funeral Home, Stanton. A celebration of Marge's life will be 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Stanton on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Pastor Ryan White will officiate, burial will be in Richland Township Cemetery, Vestaburg.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hometown Stanton Project or to the First Baptist Church of Stanton.