Marjorie Courtright

A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Marjorie Courtright lived a life marked by deep commitment to her family and her faith. She was a bright spirit with a wonderful sense of humor who was always up for an outdoor adventure. A nurturing soul, with a special place in her heart for children, Marge built a legacy of love that stands as an example to all who knew her.

In 1938, the nation was still struggling to emerge from the shadow of the Great Depression and World War II loomed on the horizon. Families gathered around the radio to tune in to a variety of dramas and President Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats, and Superman made his first appearance in Action Comics. It was in this time of transition that John and Nellie Mol welcomed the birth of their only daughter, Marjorie, on June 17, 1938.

The youngest of four children, Marge was raised in Grand Rapids along with her three older brothers. Her mother stayed home to care for the family, and her father ran his own neighborhood grocery store. Marge and her family were members of the Netherlands Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, and Marge attended the Hastings Street Christian School associated with the church. It was here that she would learn the fundamentals of the Christian faith that would guide her throughout her life. Marge later attended Union High School. She left school just short of her graduation, but would later earn her high school diploma from Godwin High School in 1974, the same year her daughter graduated high school.

Marge met the love of her life as a result of a blind date set up by her older brother Jay. He was going on a date himself, and invited Marge to come along. Her date that night was Bob Courtright. The young couple hit it off and soon a romance developed. They were married in Grand Rapids when Marge was just 17 years old. Once they were married, Bob and Marge settled in a home on Widdicomb NW. Before long, they began their own family with the birth of their daughter, Nellie. Over the years, the family grew as the couple was blessed with three sons: Robert, Thomas, and Gordon. The family later moved to a home on Powers street, where they lived for several years.

Before Nellie was born, Marge worked as a clerk at Buttercup Bakeries on Leonard Street. As the family began to grow, she was a busy mother, but still found time to work outside the home at Wheeler Drugs and Wonderland Pharmacy. In 1979, Bob’s work with DeMaat Brothers Painting Contractors on behalf of Dow Chemical led the family to move to the Ludington/Pentwater area. Once they were settled up north, they found a church home at the First Baptist Church of Pentwater where they were faithful attendees and active members. Marge worked for the church food pantry and was a dependable volunteer for a number of church functions. She also ran a day care out of her home and throughout her life, as the children she watched grew into adulthood themselves, they remained part of her “adopted” family.

Marge and Bob enjoyed traveling together. Among Marge’s favorite trips were a visit to Hawaii and a memorable trip they took to California. Bob and Marge also enjoyed traveling around Michigan, camping and indulging in one of Marge’s passions, fishing. In the spring, Marge would go out and catch enough fish to have a fish fry on Nellie’s 4th of July birthday. She not only caught the fish, but cleaned and froze them in preparation for the summer festivities. Marge also enjoyed traveling with Bob and her sons to their hunting camp in the Upper Peninsula. On one memorable trip to the camp to go bear hunting with her sons, Marge was found dressed in camo and riding around on a four-wheeler. She was 75!

Once her own children were grown, Marge transitioned to a new role as a loving and devoted grandmother. Every new addition to the family was a source of pride and great joy for her. Bob and Marge would often drive into Grand Rapids to visit their grandchildren and watch them play sports. She also liked to sew and knit, and had a great sense of humor. Marge loved a good joke and would regularly call her children to relay jokes she had heard and looked forward to the ones they would share with her.

Marge was diagnosed with cancer in 2000. She went into remission, but it returned in 2012. In the years since, Marge’s struggles increased as she fought the cancer. Needing more help, she and Bob moved into a facility in Ludington to help attend to her needs. Marge passed away Monday with her family at her side. Marge will be remembered as a dedicated wife and mother who taught her children Christian values and always wanted what was best for them. She will never be forgotten, and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Mrs. Marjorie K. Courtright aged 78, of Pentwater and formerly of Grand Rapids, passed away Monday June 27, 2016. Surviving are her husband, of 60 years, Robert Courtright, her children: Nellie and Mike Callen, Robert and June Courtright, Thomas and Claudia Courtright, Gordon Courtright, her grandchildren: Matthew Callen and Lisa Rogers, Jamey Callen, Joshua and Stephanie Callen, Melissa and Joey Waite, Jason and Leela Courtright, Roberta Courtright, Emily and David Klooster, Amber and Paul Graeser, Mason Courtright, Forrest Courtright and great grandchildren, her brother and sister-in-law Leonard and Peg Mol, her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Lois Mol and Delores Mol, Sandra and Bob Mayes, Valada Perkins, Marilyn and Dave Morgan and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Nellie Mol and her brothers John Mol and Jay Mol. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 A.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with her pastor Rev. Mark Lillie of the First Baptist Church of Pentwater officiating. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family at the funeral home Thursday from 5 to 8 P.M. and again on Friday from 10 AM until the time of the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Plymouth Christian School or the American Cancer Society would be appreciated. To read more of Marjorie’s life, share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com.