Marjorie Ellen (Delbridge) Tower

Marjorie Ellen (Delbridge) Tower of Richland, MI




Marjorie passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Saturday morning, July 4, 2015 at her home and went to her Lord at the age of seventy-eight.


Marjorie was born October 7, 1936 in the family farm home near New Lothrop, Michigan. She was the only daughter of Foster A. Delbridge and Marie Miller Angus Delbridge, a decedent of the Earl of Angus of the Angus Clan of Scotland.


Marjorie attended New Lothrop Public Schools, where she graduated with honors as the valedictorian of the 1954 class. She enrolled at Central Michigan University majoring in home economics, where she met her future husband Robert B. Tower. Marjorie was not able to continue her studies after her first year because her mother passed away, and she went home to care for her father and brothers.


Marjorie married Robert Tower on August 16, 1958, and they remained married for fifty-seven years. They shared their first home at Whitmore Lake, near Ann Arbor, while Robert pursued a degree in Architecture at the University of Michigan. Marjorie held a position at King-Seeley as a mail clerk, a camping gear manufacturer, until Robert graduated.


After starting a family with the birth of their son Christopher in 1962, Marjorie and Robert moved to the Kalamazoo area where their daughter Lori Marie was born in 1969. Eventually settling in Richland, Marjorie was the ultimate mother and wife, dedicating herself completely to her family, maintaining a warm home, and making every holiday a special occasion. Marjorie served as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader in the 1970s and 1980s. She taught Sunday school classes in her church for years, recruiting her entire family for puppet shows and games with the children. After ten years on Hazelwood Street, Marjorie moved to West Gull Lake Drive, which along with another home in Richland Woods, were her two favorite residences, both designed by her architect husband.


Once her children were grown, Marjorie became very active with the First Presbyterian Church of Richland, and served in all of the church's leadership positions. She also sang in the church choir and took voice lessons to improve her singing skills. After taking some classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Marjorie continued to pursue the completion of a college degree at Western Michigan University and attained a junior class status with studies in Food Management. She especially enjoyed her Human Development course. In the mid-1990s, she decided to dedicate herself more to travel with her husband than to completing her college degree. She and Robert traveled three times to the United Kingdom, visiting for the final time in 1997. Marjorie enjoyed staying at bed and breakfast, meeting the inn keepers, and learning their family histories.


In March of 2000, a bout of bacterial meningitis put Marjorie in a coma. She recovered after surgery but lost the use of her left arm and most of the use of both legs. She survived for fifteen years thereafter, sharing happy times with her family and her cat Princess Marie.Marjorie loved cats, and in addition to owning several cats throughout her life, she maintained a collection of cat art work and miniature figurines. As an ardent foodie, Marjorie loved baking, and her special desserts were always first sold at any bake sale.

Marjorie was a lifelong member of the Eastern Stars, New Lothrop chapter. She was also a member of Job's Daughters in which she attained the position of Honored Queen.


She is survived by her husband, Robert; her son, Christopher and daughter-in-law, Liesel of Kalamazoo, MI and her daughter, Lori Marie as well as son-in law, Noel Beard of Kalamazoo. She is also survived by her brother, Ward Delbridge and sister-in-law, Brenda of New Lothrop; sister-in-law, Lisa Delbridge of West Branch, MI; sister-in-law, Betty Tower of Southfield, MI; two nieces and a nephew.


Marjorie was an authentic and genuine person with a surprising sense of humor and a warm spirit. She was happy and enjoyed life until her very last day on earth. Her family will miss her forever.


A visitation with the family will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Richland, Gull Prairie Room, 8047 Church Street, (49083). The Memorial Service to celebrate Marjorie's life will be held on Saturday, July 11th at 11:00 a.m. in the Church with Rev. Dr. Mark W. Jennings, Pastor, officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow in the Gull Prairie Room. Cremation has taken place and Marjorie's cremains will be interred in the Memorial Garden at the First Presbyterian Church in a private, family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Church's Building Fund. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel (269-629-6022) is handling Marjorie's arrangements.