Marjorie Harris Ward

Marjorie Harris Ward, 97, slipped peacefully from the arms of her earthly family into the arms of her family in Heaven on October 20, 2013. She was born on September 4, 1916, into the family of William Daniel and Zina Elizabeth Gibbs Harris, the sixth of nine children. She spent a happy childhood in the town of Portage, Utah, surrounded by siblings and cousins. She was nurtured in a remarkable family where "loving" and "caring" were the watchwords. These Harris children stayed close to each other and the families of their siblings all their lives. Everyone who married into the family was treated with the same love and respect. Marjorie loved Portage; she claimed that even the birds sang, "Portage, pretty little town; Portage, pretty little town."

After graduating from Bear River High School in 1935 she was off to the big city to study to become a hairdresser. After graduating she got a job in Ogden, Utah. It was here that friends introduced her to a very tall and handsome young man named Charles Edward Ward. They were married on December 26, 1937 in Tremonton, Utah. Their love was sealed in 1963 in the Logan LDS Temple. Economic times were tough during the Depression but the young couple worked together to establish a home based on sound money practices and hard work. Four children were born to this union: Charles Douglas, Kelly Cash, Brent Harris, and Kathleen Marjorie.

In 1947 they built a beautiful new home on 12th St in Ogden. Margie became an extraordinary homemaker. Her home was always spotless, organized and beautifully decorated. She became an excellent cook and it was of utmost importance to her to feed her growing family nutritious, well-balanced and good tasting meals that were served on beautifully decorated tables, properly set. Her great-grandkids loved to go on picnics with Grandma Great. They were always amazed at the incredible good food she had prepared and would pull out of her "magic cooler". No one ever left her table hungry or unsatisfied.

Marjorie was small in stature but she was a giant in activity. Besides her incredible homemaking skills, she was active in community clubs and social clubs. She was a member of Aglaia Club, Coronet Club, the Ogden Golf and Country Club and Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She served as president of these clubs at various times as well as often being the project chairman for community service projects. She loved playing bridge and belonged to several clubs throughout her life.

Marjorie was very proud of her Mormon pioneer ancestors and honored their sacrifices. She served in various Church callings throughout her life. She served as Relief Society President in the 21st Ward, Lorin Farr Stake. As her daughter Kathy expressed, "She lived this calling!" It was in preserving the life stories of her family that she really shone. She collected family records and compiled them into Books of Remembrance. She made a copy for each of her brothers and sisters, her four children and nine grandchildren. They are treasures to each family that has one and represent her love of family, past and present. Her Harris family was always close to her heart and she organized and supported this large extended family in many reunions and parties over the years. Her large posterity knows that, whatever their last name, they are a Harris!

As they neared retirement age, Marge and Charlie built a summer home in Wyoming. For a few years Marge and Charlie enjoyed winters in AZ and summers in WY until Charlie''s ill health brought them back to Utah where she supervised building a lovely home in Shadow Valley, there she cared for him until his death in 1995. Her son Brent returned home to live with her, suffering from a degenerative illness, where she lovingly cared for him until just before his death in 2006.

Margie leaves a legacy of hard work but also a legacy of family fun. Her grandkids and great-grandkids loved visiting with her. She was a bundle of energy and they all have stories to tell about trying to keep up with her, especially when walking together. She tried hard not to miss their blessings, baptisms, and other important milestones. She was always ready for a party with her family.

Margie is survived by three children, Doug (LaRee), Bountiful, UT; Kelly, Moran, WY; and Kathy Ward Willis, Yorba Linda, CA. She has nine grandchildren: David D. Ward, Deborah Ward, Michael Ward, Charlie Ward, Dan Ward, Kristi Ward, David J. Ward, Amy Willis Avery, and Jenny Willis Powell. Thirty-one great-grandchildren who loving called her "Grandma Great": Shelby Ward, Matthew Ward, Liberty Ward, Jayson Anderson, Nate Anderson, Josh Anderson, Clay Anderson, Eliott Anderson, Joseph Anderson, MaKayla Ward Gil, Logan Ward, Zachary Ward, Greggory Ward, Sarah Nulty Kidd, Samantha Nulty, James Nulty, David Nulty, Lily Ward, Cosette Ward, Katie Ward, Emma Ward, Chas Ward, Lucy Ward, Simone Ward, Nick Ward, Jackson Avery, Brady Avery, Ashland Avery, Audrey Powell, Lauren Powell, Kendall Powell, and Harrison Ward coming in December. She has five great-great-grandchildren: Jaylin Anderson, Jordan Anderson, Taylor Anderson, Isaiah Gil, and Carter Kidd. Each of these grandchildren loved her and showered her with frequent visits and hugs. She is also survived by one sister, Evie Fuhriman Isakson.

As a family we offer our heart-felt thanks to the staff at Mountain Ridge and Hospice of Utah who all gave love and caring beyond measure to our dear Margie. The leaders of the Mountain Ridge Branch of the LDS Church served and loved her beyond compare. She didn''t always comprehend the words, but she always responded to the Spirit these choice people brought with them.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 25, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Shadow Valley Chapel, 5191 Old Post Rd., Ogden. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.