Marjorie W. Stowe

Marge Stowe (née: Wisse) of Fort Washington Estates, formerly of Ambler, passed away on Sept. 27th with her family by her side. She was 95 years old.

Marjorie grew up in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ the daughter of Jacob F. Wisse, a well known dairy farmer and Marjorie VanderVliet, a homemaker. She was very proud of her Dutch heritage and enjoyed having many family members living close by on neighboring farms.

After graduating from Hasbrouck Heights HS, Salutatorian with honors, Marge worked her way through Ohio University, majoring in biology and pre-med. The first in her family to attend college, she graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1947. Following college, she worked as a medical editor and secretary in NYC. She and her colleagues enjoyed shopping on Fifth Avenue during their lunch breaks.

In 1950 she met and married Robert Stowe, then moved to Ambler where her husband taught music in the Wissahickon S.D. She held several part-time secretarial jobs while raising her three children. In 1969 she accepted a secondary teaching position in the Central Bucks S.D. During her twenty-four year tenure there, she taught secondary biology, health and gifted science classes and earned a M of Ed.

Her strong faith was witnessed in her nearly 70 years as an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Ambler. Over the years she served as church secretary, Deacon, nursery school board member, office volunteer, frequent usher, and Sunday school teacher.

Marge’s retirement saw her actively volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Plant Ambler and teaching science lessons at the Wissahickon Valley Watershed. In 2005, Mrs. Stowe was honored as “Citizen of the Week” by the Ambler Gazette for her many contributions to the community.

She also traveled extensively in her retirement, seeing Alaska, Cape Cod, Maine, Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina’s Outer Banks and the Jersey Shore while vacationing with family and friends. She enjoyed a teaching exchange in England and visited France, the Netherlands, Australia, and many of the Canadian Provinces.

Her hobbies included: Bridge, tennis, biking, hiking, and gardening. She was a talented cook, baker, seamstress and a wonderful, involved mother and a truly loyal friend. Surviving are her children Carolyn Stowe Shaner (Tom), and James Stowe (Jan), her grandchildren Morgann and Jacob Shaner, son-in-law, Monty Schuth, many beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends. In addition to her parents and brother, John Wisse, Marge was predeceased by her eldest son John Stowe and her grandson, Jimmy Stowe.

The family wishes to thank the attentive staff at Fort Washington Estates, the highly capable Acts Hospice team and Marge’s Visiting Angels companion, Ester Hawkins for their compassionate medical and social care in her final years. A memorial service in celebration of Marge’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Ambler, 4 South Ridge Ave., Ambler, PA on Sat. Oct. 9th. Calling hour at 10 am and memorial service to follow at 11 am. Interment will be private for the family. Arrangements are by Shaeff-Myers Funeral Home.

***Masks will be required inside the church for the visitation and memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Interfaith Housing Alliance of Ambler, 31 S. Spring Garden St. Ambler, PA 19002 or Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., P.O. Box 367, Ambler, PA 19002 or to a local charity of your choice.