Margery E. Guinther's Obituary
Margery Caughell Guinther left her earthly home for the glory of heaven on the day of our Lord’s resurrection, Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. She was born to Manfred and Mabel (Moser) Caughell on March 13,1943.
Her marriage to Karl Guinther was one of her greatest joys. What started as a friendship grew into a relationship filled with love, laughter, travel and faith. During the long illness that preceded Karl’s death, her commitment to his care and comfort was unwavering.
Margery spent her childhood and young adult years in Marine City, graduating from
Marine City High School. She attended St. Clair County Community College and Michigan State University, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She dedicated her entire career to the Utica Community Schools, where she began as an elementary teacher at Schwartzkoff Elementary School, and continued there as a media specialist until her retirement. Margery created lifelong meaningful friendships during her years there. Her colleagues continued to bring her great delight even after retirement, with frequent social gatherings and reunions. Margery’s impact on the children, parents and staff at Schwarzkopf was immeasurable; long after her retirement, she cherished visits from those whose lives she had touched while there.
Margery was a person of deep faith — the kind of faith that was lived as a life of service each and every day. Her actions always spoke louder than her words. She cared for the poor, the homeless and the lonely — often anonymously. She believed in reaching out to those at the margins of society. As her spiritual home, the First Congregational church of St. Clair provided a community focus for her desire to help others. As part of their tribute to her, her fellow congregation members wrote: “Marge sings in the choir, substitutes at the organ, is a mentor for a confirmand, serves on Evangelism and Worship and Music committees. Those are her obvious contributions — but what is so remarkable about this lady is her constant willingness to do for others. ‘Yes’, could be her middle name.”
A vision for a vibrant community guided Margery’s commitment to many of the organizations that she founded and supported. She devoted time, energy and financial support to make her home town a better place for all who lived there. One of the projects closest to her heart was the Marine City Scholarship Foundation. With gifts in Karl’s memory, she established this fund, which helped countless students as they pursued post-secondary learning opportunities.
As part of a life dedicated to helping all of God’s creatures, Margery began adopting elderly, sometimes health-compromised dogs after Karl’s death. They provided companionship for her and, most importantly, she gave them the best possible life in their later years. She had to usher many of them through the end-of-life process, but it didn’t deter her from committing to this honorable mission. She leaves behind her final canine companion, Rainey.
Margery was immeasurably grateful for the friends and fellow church members who supported her during her years of chemotherapy, radiation and tests as she travelled her journey with cancer. Their gifts of travel to appointments, companionship, help with projects in her home, and gifts of food were a source of joy. The love she felt from others filled her heart.
Margery leaves behind countless friends and relatives who enriched her life.
Every life creates a ripple effect; the ripples of Margery’s life brought joy, peace and comfort to others. What she would want most as people remember her life is for them to find ways to continue the vision of her heart. A favorite quote of hers by William James reads: “The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”
In Margery’s memory, contributions may be made to
Marine City Scholarship Fund
First Congregational Church, St. Clair
Funeral services will be at the First Congregational Church, 300 Adams St., St. Clair, MI 48079, Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Visitation will be Friday, April 5, 4 to 8 pm, at the Young Colonial Funeral Home, 4061 St Clair Highway, East China, MI 48054. Along with visiting from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at church on Saturday. To leave a message of comfort visit www.youngcolonial.com
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