It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of society member Majel Howland Morgan. Our deepest condolences go to her and her family.
Obituary
Majel Howland Morgan passed away Sunday, June 20, 2010. Majel was born on June 17, 1924, in Jefferson City, Mo., the daughter of Winfield Eugene Howland and Etta Florence Hunziker. She lived in many states during her “growing-up” years as her father traveled for an engineering company; spending her kindergarten years in 5 different states. She graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1942 and William Woods Women’s College in 1944.
On January 12, 1944, Majel married her college sweetheart, James Donald “Don” Morgan, Sr. Their union was blessed with 3 children, who survive her, daughters, Kathy (Art) Bourgeault of Frisco, Texas, and Judy (Neil) Flesher of Littleton, Colo.; and son, Jim (Jori) Morgan, Jr. of Lakewood, Colo. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Kari Claxton, Allison Parrish, Dirk Schwiderski, and Tyler and Trevor Lawson; and 11 great grandchildren.
Majel was a devoted wife and mother. In 1958, she started her business career, working at home for a time and then joining the office force of a Production Credit Association in Macomb, Ill. In 1970, she and Don moved to Fort Collins where she started working at the Mountain Plains Production Credit Association as a Secretary and Treasurer. Majel retired in 1987 having successfully carried on a full home life as well as her career. Don died on August 25, 1994.
She enjoyed many interests including, painting, golf, hiking, cooking, sewing, genealogy and traveling. Majel sang in the choir of the First Christian Church, now Christ Center Community Church, and was also active in the Outreach Department and worked in the library for a period of time. She loved her many friends who made her life more complete.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at Christ Center Community Church in Fort Collins. Contributions may be made in Majel’s memory to P.E.O. Foundation in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526.
Friends may send their memories of Majel and condolences to the family at www.allnutt.com.
Darrell Coble, Loveland, Colo., died April 24, 2010 at Poudre Valley Hospital due to a series of complications following surgery on January 13, for pancreatic cancer. Darrell was born June 11, 1931 in Ramona, Indiana to Ralph and Mamie Coble, and grew up on farms in Indiana. After graduation from high school, he joined the Air Force, serving in the 33D Communications SQ 15th AF (SAC). He served in Korea during the Korean War, then at March Air Force base in Riverside, Calif.
Arden Royce Shubert died April 27, 2010, his aspirations snuffed by a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis.
Sherri Birch gave a wonderful presentation on dating old photographs by clothing at the general meeting thursday. Although she wasn’t able to be in costume (pictured right– it’s a long drive when you’re in a corset, ) she provided the audience with a wealth of information on using fashion to date old photographs. During her lecture she recommended a great reference book: Dressed for the Photographer by Joan L. Severa, Curator Emeritus and costume history consultant for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Museum. I thought I would repeat the title here for those who weren’t able to attend. One reviewer had this to say about the book:
As a newcomer to the study of dress, I found her ability to recognize and explain subtle details of clothing nuances extraordinary. Many of these were, at first glance barely visible in an aging photograph, but upon her outlining them they became so readily apparent as to cause the reader to wonder why they hadn’t seen it sooner! It is a lovely book, either for the professional costumer or historian, or the casual observer who might want a glimpse into the history of those who came before, and the role fashion played throughout the early history of America.