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Marjorie T. Keith
August 16, 2018

Obituary

MARJORIE PIPER KEITH, PA CLASS OF 1948
How is a woman the fiercest, strongest, most independent woman you know, yet at the same time the sweetest woman you’ve ever known? Marjorie Piper Keith was all that, and more, to her family. The quintessential depression era child born in 1931 in Derry to Georgia Reid Piper and Maurice Piper Sr., she was the youngest of three children. The family, like many during the Great Depression, struggled all of Marjorie’s early life. A graduate of Pinkerton Academy class of 1948, Marjorie met the love of her life, her late husband Calvin Keith, when he returned injured from his service to the U.S. Army in World War II. They married in 1949.

Like many who resided in Derry during the shoe industry’s hay day, Marjorie worked in shoe shops from her teens until the 1980s. A talented skilled worker, Marjorie was a French Cord and Fancy Stitcher ending her shoe industry career when Klev-Bro Shoe closed in 1988. With her work ethic, she would not be deterred and undertook training offered though the New Hampshire Division of Employment Security. Thereafter she worked for RDC Components in Manchester for five years until she retired.

With both she and her husband employed in the declining shoe industry—Calvin owned a cutting die manufacturing business—the family sometimes struggled financially. But Marjorie always made sure her family, including six children, was well cared for. She instilled in her children her same work ethic. Her children fondly recall how one friend who was staying with the family lamented during the blizzard of 78, “Wow, I would have to live with the family that goes to work no matter what!” Marjorie was well known for accepting her children’s friends when they were down and out and always welcomed them to stay with her family if they had trouble at their own homes.

As her children matured into adulthood, she continued to support their endeavors. Although she was squeamish to watch three of her children drive racecars she still participated with the racing team by sewing their fire suits and stitching their safety harnesses. Later when her children volunteered in civic organizations like the Jaycees, Nutfield Community Alliance and Miss New Hampshire Organization, she would volunteer alongside them at bingo fundraisers and other events.
She enjoyed playing bingo and crocheting beautiful afghans, and she loved Elvis’s music and John Wayne westerns. She also loved working outside in the yard with her son, Richard, and taking her daughters, to flea markets and antiquing. She was a great story-teller, loved making lists, and was an avid Red Sox fan.

Her long and wonderful life ended with her family by her side on August 16th at her Derry, NH home. A lifelong resident of Derry, Marjorie was predeceased by her parents, her husband and her brother, Maurice Piper Jr., in 2001, and her sister Marion Caldwell earlier this year. She is survived by her six children, Gary Keith and his longtime soul mate, Martha Frick of Plaistow; Brenda Keith of Derry, Linda Mullen and her husband, John, of Belmont; David Keith and his wife Suzanne (Rooks) of Londonderry; Richard Keith of Derry; and Karen Norris and her husband, Scott, of Auburn. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Crystal Buyck of Belmont, Thomas Costa of Acton, Mass., Shaun Keith of Londonderry, Megan Taylor of Derry, and Andrew Norris of Auburn; and also four great-grandchildren: Isaiah and Karson Costa and Lyla and Laney Buyck, her Brother-in-law Mark Keith of Clinton, Conn; and her nieces and nephews: Michelle Dennett of Dover, Mark Keith, Jr., Gayle Melonson, Doreen Berry of Connecticut, Danny Keith of Florida, Maurice Piper III of Derry and James Keith of New York, Kathy Keith of Maine and Ellen Keith Peters of Salem, NH.

Calling hours were held on Monday August 20, 2018 from 5 – 8 pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. Funeral services were held Tuesday at 10:00 am in the funeral home. Burial followed in Forest Hill Cemetery, E. Derry.

The family wishes to thank the Rockingham County VNA & Hospice, Angels Sarah and Pat of the Visiting Angels Organization, the many friends of her children who assisted with her at-home care over the past year and a half, and the Derry Fire Department for their periodic assistance. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Rockingham County VNA & Hospice, 137 Epping Road, Exeter, NH 03833.

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Peabody Funeral Homes
Londonderry and
Derry, NH 03038
603-432-2801