Haverhill — Marjorie A. Brewer passed away on Wednesday, December 26, 2012. Born 96 years ago, the oldest child of a British immigrant, James H. Smith, and Annie P. Smith from Nova Scotia, Canada. A strong woman far ahead of her time, she dedicated her life to her family and volunteerism. Marge lived in the Riverside section of Haverhill, MA her entire life.
Graduating from Haverhill High School in 1935. She worked as a bookkeeper and managed the family business, J.H. Smith Grain, from 1934-1942 following her father’s death when she was 16 years old. Married Irving L. Brewer in 1937. Marge was employed at McGregor-Smith Bus (a company owned be her youngest brother Milton Smith) for 45 years prior to her retirement in 1996 at the age of 80. Marge was then employed by Companion Care of Newburyport and did in home visits for the elderly, and provided transportation to their appointments (all of her clients were 20 years younger than she). Marjorie is a lifelong member of Riverside Memorial Church, 83 years, and is Deaconess Emeritus. During her membership she served on nearly every committee of the Church. She was instrumental in bringing the first Cub Scout Troop to Riverside, and was presented the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Boy Scouts of America in 1999. Past President of the Woman’s City Club, Hale Hospital Auxiliary, Treasurer of the Haverhill Woman’s Club, created the First Chapter of the Order of Rainbow for Girls in Haverhill, Past Worthy Advisor and Mother Advisor. Marge was Past Patron, and 60 years member. in the Order of Eastern Star, Fidelity Chapter #90. She was Past Director of the Protestant Guild for the Blind and served for over 40 years. Served on the Board of Directors of the Penacook Nursing Home for nearly 30 years. Marge served as a consultant for the Association of American’s with Disabilities.
Marge organized and conducted endless planned events: fund raisers for the Church including The Riverside Horse Show for 35 consecutive years, “May Pole”, “Here Comes the Bride”, minstrel shows, and the locally famous Thom Thumb Wedding. Once in a Lifetime trips for the John T. Berry Club (which she organized for the mentally challenged adults). They took a trip to Washington, DC where they were guests at the White House, and went to Disney World Florida. In recent years she could be seen every Monday night at the Senior Center helping with the Community Meal Program, and distributing clothing she personally collected to those in need.
Marge has been recognized for all of her dedication and volunteerism by many organizations. Two of the most meaningful were the 1994 WOMAN OF THE YEAR selected by the YMCA, and the D. Raymond Taft Award in 2005.
Marge was preceded in death by her husband, Irving L. Brewer, her son, Irving “Skip” Brewer, Jr., brothers, Milton H. Smith, formerly of Merrimac, MA, Burton “Bud” Smith, formerly of Haverhill, and sister, Virginia Rowe of Portsmouth, NH. Her children are Donna Brewer, Haverhill, MA, Cynthia A. and Donny Adams of Newton, NH, Arthur Brewer II and his wife Kathleen of Hartly, DE; nine grandchildren, Marsha Waterhouse and Melisa Palmer of Portland, ME, Alicia Robertson, Heather Murray and Cybill Beaudoin of Haverhill, MA, Brewer Adams of Lehighton, PA, Amanda Payson, Kailey and Conor Brewer of Hartly, DE; 11 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral service on Saturday at 12:00 noon at the Riverside Memorial Church. Calling hours will precede the funeral from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Arrangements under the direction of Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main St., Haverhill. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to the Marjorie Brewer Memorial Fund, c/o Riverside Memorial Church, 278 Groveland St., Haverhill, MA 01830, or the American Caner Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Online condolences may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com
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