Obituary of Marjorie M. Ewell

Marjorie May (Hartfield) Ewell Obituary Marjorie M. (Hartfield) Ewell, 99, a former 43-year resident of East Aurora, NY, died peacefully in her sleep at home in Mendon, NY, on December 2, 2016. Marjorie was born in Buffalo, NY, on October 24, 1917, to Emma and Paul Hartfield. She attended the Buffalo City School No. 74, where she earned a Diploma in Advanced Business Writing on April 23, 1931 and a Diploma in Grammar School Education on June 22, 1931. She was also award the prestigious Jesse Ketchum Memorial Fund Silver Medal of Honor by the Jesse Ketchum Board of Trustees on June 27, 1930 for her diligence in study and attendance at School No. 74 in Buffalo, NY. The following year, Marjorie earned an honorable mention from the same Board of Trustees, just missing out on earning the Jesse Ketchum Silver Medal for a second year in a row by only ½ a point. Marjorie moved to Lancaster, NY, and graduated from Lancaster High School in June of 1935 as the Salutatorian of her class, also earning the Rotary Medal for High Achievement. This is where she met her husband of 62 years, Howard E. Ewell of Marilla, NY, who she married on October 10, 1940. After graduating, Marjorie went to work at Gleason Battery in Buffalo, NY, as the secretary to the owner. On April 17, 1940, Marjorie was hired by the Buffalo Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Department of Justice as a stenographer and secretary to the special agents, which included personal letters of appointment from both Director, J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General, Robert H. Jackson, where she worked until her children were born. On July 11, 2008, she was personally invited to attend the 100th Anniversary of the Buffalo Division of the FBI, where she was honored as one of their oldest-surviving employees and was given a gold buffalo pin from then Buffalo Mayor Byron William Brown II. As a resident of East Aurora, NY, Marjorie was active in many civic activities including being a leader of both her daughters' Brownie Troops and her son's Cub Scout Den; a member in good standing at both Marilla Methodist Church in Marilla, NY, and Baker Memorial Methodist Church in East Aurora, NY, for 47 years; she was a member of the Alden Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of the State of New York; and she was also an active member and supporter of the East Aurora Historical Society and the East Aurora Garden Club. Marjorie gave countless hours of her time in volunteer service to her community, most notably with her varied and beautiful natural, primitive, and holiday-themed crafts which she made, donated, and sold annually on behalf of the East Aurora Historical Society at their Annual Christmas Sale at the Millard Fillmore House. She and her fellow crafters and committee members of the Abigails made thousands of dollars in revenue from these annual Christmas sales to benefit the East Aurora Historical Society. Marjorie was also known far and wide for her green thumb. She had one of the most notable and revered gardens in the area, which she was generous enough to open to the public for the East Aurora Garden Tour. She loved to bring people through her lush gardens and tell all about her many varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and greenery, much of which she used in her beautiful holiday crafts. Marjorie was also an expert on antiques and refinishing techniques, an avid handcrafter and sewer, gifted ceramics designer, and an accomplished painter. Marjorie Ewell will always be remembered as a doting mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who loved her family. A faithful reader of Erma Bombeck's saige advice, always quick to lend a hand, share her wisdom, whip up one of her beautiful crafts, or quick with a joke and a wiggle hug. She will be greatly missed by all. Marjorie is survived by her three children Bonnie (Henry III) Farnam of Mendon, NY; Leigh (Jean) Ewell of Wildwood, Missouri; and Diane (John) Tilghman of Oaks, Pennsylvania; as well as six grandchildren, Henry (Perry Poussard) Farnam IV, Katharine Farnam (Chris) Conolly, Martin (Colleen) Ewell, Christine (Sean) Lafferty, Sarah (Adam) Himebach, and Tench (Liz) Tilghman; and eleven great grandchildren, Jonah and Emma-Kate Conolly; Emma Ewell; Keagan and James Lafferty; Eliza, Margot, and James Himebauch; Brynley, Chase, and Harper Tilghman; as well as a close-knit extended family. A memorial service will be held for family and friends on February 20, 2017 at 11 am at Westminster Chapel in Mendon NY. Memorials may be made Marjorie Ewell's name to the Mendon Ambulance, Mendon Fire Department, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Arrangements by Merton H. Kays Funeral Home in Honeoye Falls, NY.