Marjorie Lee Melville

Just nine days shy of her 94th birthday, Marjorie “Margie” Lee Elsie Melville passed away peacefully on July 5th, 2023 at the Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence.  The world was brighter and filled with extra sass after she was born July 14th, 1929 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania to Clifford and Geraldine Mee.  Margie grew up with two sisters (Vivian Murphy and Myrna Hopkins) and a brother (Clifford Mee) and graduated from Haslett High School in 1947.

When Margie was just ten years old, her fun-loving and charming personality helped her kick start her singing career where she joined her father in singing at numerous private events.  She then went on to study for a short time at Michigan State University.  Margie was married to the love of her life, Douglas Melville, for 62 loving years until his passing in 2012.  After working for the State of Michigan for two years, Margie dedicated herself to raising her four wonderful children: Kirk (Deborah) Melville, Sherrie (John) Baldwin, David (Sheri) Melville, and Cynthia Bierwagen.  Throughout her life, Margie was a beloved “room mother,” Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, and proud member of Plymouth Congregational Church.  Margie was an avid gardener and loved to flower arrange.  Since 1971, she was a member of the Greater Lansing Garden Club where she served as President and received many awards for her design work.

Margie’s happy place was spending time with her family and friends at her family cottage in Glen Arbor.  She enjoyed sitting on the deck where she sipped her coffee (which lasted her almost the entire day) overlooking beautiful Big Fisher Lake and the fun it brought her loved ones.  In her earlier years, she enjoyed golfing and eventually traveling the country with her husband to visit friends.  As a former MSU student, Margie spent a lot of time cheering on the Spartans that then translated into watching many other sporting events such as golf, basketball, football, and hockey.

Margie will always be remembered for her zest for life, contagious sense of humor, love of a good time, strong spirit and exterior, unwillingness to take any flack, her love of family, and encouragement to stay close.  She will be remembered in all her roles…an ever-present mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and faithful friend.  No matter if it was at church, while visiting with her grandchildren’s friends, or walking through the grocery store, she made a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Left to cherish Margie’s memory are her four children and their spouses, grandchildren: Andra (Lucas) Schrauben, Shana (Joseph) Kaiser, Matthew Bierwagen, Evan Melville, Brandt (Nicolette) Chapman, Jacob Melville, Derek Bierwagen, Lynzie (Tony) Kuchar, Lukas Melville, and great-grandchildren Blake & Lyla Schrauben.  The family would like to express their deepest appreciation for everyone at Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence as well as Sharon Patton and Marci Brown for their ongoing support in Margie’s final years.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 10th, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. at The English Inn, 677 S. Michigan Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.  Bring your memories and stories to share!

Those wanting to show their sympathy may wish to consider flowers or memorial contributions equally.  Flowers can be sent to the English Inn in advance or contributions can be made to one of the following in Margie’s name: Hospice of Lansing Stoneleigh Residence, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr., Lansing, MI 48910 or Suzanne Budrow – MGC Scholarship Donations, 9142 Hobbit Circle, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.­ Donation forms in memory of Margie will be available at her celebration or online at https://migardenclubs.org/scholarships.

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.