Margery G. McBurney

Margery Gaylord McBurney, age 75, of Ashland, OH., died Monday morning, July 7, 2008, at Hospice House in Ashland, Ohio. Margery Ellen Gaylord was born February 9, 1933 to Donald C. and Margaret (Root) Gaylord in Torrington, Connecticut. Margery graduated from Windham (CT) High School and the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Home Economics Education. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

Marge married H. Dean McBurney of Bethesda, OH., on April 21, 1957 at the Storrs (CT) Congregational Church. Marge was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, OH., for 51 years, assisting the Memorials and Special Gifts Committee and serving as an Elder. She was a Stephen Minister for ten years.

In 1964, Marge joined the Ashland College Faculty as an Instructor in the Home Economics (now Family and Consumer Sciences) Department, and was Department Chair from 1977 to 1988. She retired from Ashland University as Professor Emeritus in 1993. During her tenure, she chartered Kappa Omicron Nu (home economics honor society), and assisted in the development of endowed scholarships for students in the FCS department. She was Panhellenic Council advisor to the sororities on campus, and received the Academic Mentor Award and the Dean's Award. In 2003, Marge and Dean were named Honorary Alumni of Ashland University.

Marge was recently recognized as a 50-year member of the Ohio, American, and International Family and Consumer Sciences organizations, and received the Outstanding Ohio Family and Consumer Sciences Faculty Member Award. Locally, Marge was active in Delta Kappa Gamma, AAUW, and the Ashland County 4H Advisory Committee. Marge volunteered at the Ashland County Historical Museum as clothing curator and as a Board member of the Ashland YMCA. In 2006, Marge was honored as an Ashland County Woman of Achievement.

Marge is survived by her husband of 51 years, H. Dean McBurney of Ashland and four children: Margaret Ann (Jim) Hess of Ashland: Suellen Scarff of Laguna Niguel, CA; Donald McBurney of Stow, OH.; and Jayne (Carmelo) Cubilla of Zebulon, NC. Marge enjoyed the company and activities of her grandchildren: Timothy (Jennifer) Hess, Mark Dean Hess, J. Ryan Scarff, Connor Scarff, Matthew McBurney, Carmen Ellen Cubilla, and Casandra Maria Cubilla.

Marge is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Janet G. (Adrian) Atkins of Storrs, CT; two nieces, a nephew and their families. Also surviving are Brother-in-law, and sisters-in-law and their families in the McBurney family.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents. Marge's family would like to thank the physicians, nurses, professionals, and employees of Samaritan Regional Health System and Hospice of North Central Ohio/Hospice House who compassionately cared for Marge these past two months.

In addition, the family appreciates the Stephen Ministers and friends of the First Presbyterian Church for their presence, support, and many acts of kindness.

A Celebration of Life Service for Margery G. McBurney will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Church Street, Ashland, OH., on Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Andrew Gerhart and Rev. JoAnn Ford Watson officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor on hour prior to the service. A private interment for the family will be held at a later date in Ashland Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of North Central Ohio Endowment Fund, 1050 Dauch Dr., Ashland, OH., 44805, or memorials in Marge's name to any of the organizations that benefitted from Marge's time and talents during her lifetime.

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