Obituary of Marjorie Preece Edwards

Marjorie Preece Edwards, age 93, of Union Twp., NJ passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 25, 2007. Marjorie was born on January 3, 1914 in England and was the daughter of the late Morley and Eva Preece. Marjorie was a movie star in the 30s in England, starring in "Tea Leaves in the Wind" and "Tilly of Bloomsbury", before emigrating to America after WWII. She married her late husband Ralph, a Colonel in the US Army and later an AT&T executive, in 1950. During her years, Marjorie was active in Girl Scouting, organizing three Troops in Short Hills, NJ, and Cooperstown, NY, and was First Vice-President of the Greater Essex Girl Scout Council in NJ, in charge of fund raising. She served as President of the Northern Kentucky Mental Health Association, where she organized volunteers to work among the mentally ill at two hospitals. She also served as President of the Joan Davis School for Special Education in Kansas City. Marjorie was Chair of the New Jersey Womens Club, International Department and was active in the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) for 47 years, serving as Regent, Organizer, Secretary and President. She was also a National Organizer for 3 years and was President of the Kansas City chapter of the English-speaking Union for 5 years. In 1985, she was honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the Most Noble Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her charitable work in America, and for furthering British-American relations. She has been a member of the PEO, a philanthropic, educational organization, since 1997. Most importantly, she was a dedicated and loving Mother and Grandmother to Evelyn, Brittany and Alexandra. She is survived by her daughter: Evelyn, grand-daughters Brittany and Alexandra, sister Joan and son-in-law Peter. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph Edwards who passed away January 11, 1985. There will be a visitation held on Wednesday, May 30th at the Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Highway 31 in Clinton, NJ from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. A Funeral Service will take place at 7:00pm following the visitation on Wednesday at the funeral home. There will be another visitation held at the D. W. Newcomer and Sons Funeral Home in Overland Park, Kansas on Tuesday, June 5th from 10:00am to 12noon. A Funeral Service will follow at 12 noon at the Newcomer and Sons Funeral Home. The burial is scheduled to take place at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas at 2:30pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2007. For all information on arrangements in Kansas please call tel. #913-648-6224. Memorials in her memory may be made to: Leukemia Society or the ASPCA.