NEW BEDFORD — On Saturday, April 18, 2009, in her 86th year, surrounded by her beloved family, Marjorie L. Ratner went home to be with the Lord.
Born in New Bedford, October 12, 1923, to the late Harrie W. and Ruby L. (Drew) Johnston, she was a graduate of New Bedford High School. She was the wife of Richard R. Ratner Sr., and raised their family in North Dartmouth for over 49 years, recently celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary.
Marge, as she was know, was a Captain of the Volunteers of America. She founded the 211th Vietnam Wives Club of New Bedford during the 1960's, who met weekly to support each other in the absence of their husbands, sons and brothers serving in the war.
Marge provided the entertainment for the New Bedford Golden Agers Club for several years. Marge was the organist and choir director of the North Baptist Church of N.B., for 17 years before becoming organist and choir director of First Congregational Church of Lund's Corner, where she retired in 2001 after 24 years of service. While at Lund's Corner Congregational Church, she organized and directed the Ecumenical Choir who performed yearly Christmas cantatas and Easter concerts. Marge also directed church variety shows for many years. While active in the church family she started the Thursday morning craft group, started the weekly nursing home ministry and the chapel thrift shop which provided used furniture and clothing to the needy in the community. Marge was the financial secretary for many years as well.
Marge was a member of the Fire District 3 Women's Auxiliary, and was employed as a Dartmouth Police Matron and Traffic Superior for 10 years.
Marge through her kindness and generosity helped countless people in need. She will be greatly missed by family and her many friends.
Marge is also survived her children, Richard R. Jr., and wife, Jean, Cheryl L. Nunes and husband, Frank, Glenys L. Wolcott and husband, Bill, Lynn L. Ratner, Royce R. and wife, Noreen and step daughter, Jane L. Ruffley and husband, Ken; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was the special niece of the late Maude "Vi" Hawes.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 22, in the First Congregational Church of Lund's Corner, 2195 Acushnet Avenue at 10 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery in Dartmouth. Visitation will be in the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Congregational Church of Lund's Corner Memorial Fund, or Community Nurse and Hospice Care of Fairhaven, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719