Marjorie Whitney Lodding, age 100, a longtime resident of Worcester, died peacefully on Wednesday evening, January 18, 2012, at the Wayland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Center Barnstead, NH, on December 5, 1911, she was the daughter of the late Elliott W. and Elizabeth S. (Dates) Whitney. Marjorie was raised and educated in Nashua. After graduating from Simmons College she worked as a librarian at Clark University, and later spent many years establishing and maintaining libraries in the Worcester Elementary Schools.
Marjorie had a lifelong interest in horticulture. She was a Director and Life Member of the Worcester Horticultural Society, a member of the Merry Weeders Garden Club, and an active volunteer and guide at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. She traveled extensively in the US and abroad. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of West Boylston. Marjorie enjoyed sharing a champagne toast at a party on her 100th birthday, December 5, 2011.
Predeceased by her son, Frederick W. Lodding, and a grandson, Erik W. Lodding, she is survived by a son, David W. Lodding and his wife Carole of Natick; two grandchildren, Jeffrey Lodding and his wife Lynn of Manchester, NH, and Dr. Cynthia Lodding and her husband Derek Bunting of Salt Lake City, UT; a great-grandson Nicholas Lodding of Manchester, NH; a brother, E. Webster Whitney and his wife Alberta of Nashua, NH; and a sister-in-law, Ethel Whitney of Nashua, NH, wife of the late Robert S. Whitney.
Her Memorial Service will held in the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central Street, West Boylston, on February 4th at 11:00a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Marjorie’s memory to Tower Hill Botanic Garden, P.O. Box 598, Boylston MA 01505; or the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central Street, West Boylston MA 01583.