Margery Joan (Kennard) Harrison passed away quietly and peacefully on Monday morning, after a brief bout with bladder cancer. She had just marked her 89th birthday—a surprise to many, because she looked and acted much younger. She was an athlete, from her early days as a fearless speed skater to her advancement in the world of ice dancing to—in her so-called ‘senior years’—a regular at Poulsbo Athletic Club.

Along with her husband of 68 years, Marge became a part of the fabric of Poulsbo since moving here in the mid-1980s. But her heart belonged to her home town of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She returned for major events such as class reunions, including her 70th just last fall. At her 50th, she was part of the homecoming parade and, as a former head cheerleader, jumped out of the car she was riding in to join the current squad in performing for the spectators.

That exuberance is reflected in her very strong wishes that we host no memorial, celebration of life, or other event to mark her passing. Frankly, Marge didn’t much care for parties that she couldn’t attend. For those wishing to mark her memory, please donate in her name to North Kitsap Fishline. For the past several years, you would have found Marge on Mondays and Wednesdays, in the back, stocking the shelves. After an hour at the gym, of course.

Marge leaves behind her husband, Wally, 90 and chugging along quite well; her children Jan, Kim, and Glen; her daughter-in-law Lisa Lund; her granddaughters Emily Cutler and her husband Fred of Reno, and Brie (Gabrielle) Youngker and her husband Chris of Silverdale; and her great-granddaughter, Hayley Cutler. She also leaves many, many friends who will remember her energy, creativity, and love of life.

An online memorial can be seen at www.poulsbomortuary.com