Marjorie passed away on October 3rd, 2017 at Harbor Chase in Gainesville, Fl. She was 98 years old. She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa to Earle and Marguerite Williams on September 22, 19189. She was the oldest of 4 daughters. She always said she had a happy childhood, filled with laughter, love and music. And She made sure we all had that as well. She taught us the love of reading, of music and watching movies, (the ability to watch a movie over and over again come from Dad.
After graduating from High School in 1937, she left for New York to go to Nursing School. She was enrolled in Kings County Nursing School, where she excelled and was top of her class. She was the only student of her class to be awarded a full scholarship to Columbia University to finish her Bachelors degree. She declined, saying she only wanted to be a Nurse. She did not want anything to do with the politics of the administrative work. Those of us who knew her, knew that was the right choice.
She married Frank Shine on February 15, 1943. They were married for 58 years, before Frank’s passing in 2001. In those 58 years they had 4 children and created a home life that was hard to beat.
She continued working in the nursing field. When the kids were little she worked on weekends, later returning to full time after the kids were of school age.
She was always the Head Nurse of a flo9or. She knew how things should be run and ran them that way. She ran a tight ship, but yet everyone admired her and wanted to work on her floor. She was the one that was chosen to train the new nurses when the come on the floor. At one point the Doctors in Miami were opening up a surgical hospital across from the hospital she worked in and they chose her to run the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.
Her and Frank were the perfect example of what hard work will get you. They raised 4 children that did not want for anything. Put them through college, they built their dream home and managed to retire at 58 years old.
After retirement they traveled. Marge volunteered at North Fl Regional hospital, Ronald McDonald House and was a
Guardian Ad Litem. At age 70 she took up golf, so she wouldn’t feel left out when everyone else was playing. In fact she played 6 days a week until the age of 85.
At 85 she was diagnosed with cancer. She beat the cancer and overcame the many obstacles that followed. She had a will to live that was unbeatable. She was able to hold all her great grandchildren, and that was so important to her.
We will never see the likes of her again. She was truly a force to be reckoned with. her memory and love for us will be with us always. her son Donnie wrote a poem to her for a Mother’s Day that summed up everything;
If I’d known her in her youth, I wouldn’t know her now.
If I’d tasted her ripe with time, I’d know her passion now.
But I’m not the seed of flesh; I am the fruit of soul.
I am she; her blood is mine. We are one; forever whole…
For in her womb my spirit grew,
While she caressed it and set it free,
Our souls will touch beyond the tomb—FOR SHE AND I ARE WE
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank and sons, Francis Earle and Donald Robert. She is survived by her son, Gary (Fran) Shine and daughter, Patti Dean, 6 grandchildren; Donnie, Kristin (Doug), Gregory (Claudia), David Jason (Stacy) and Mathew (Kristina), 13 great grandchildren: Jackie, Ava, Katie, Olivia, Cameron, Jakob, Declan, Logan, Sophie, Avery, Lucy, Michael and Clara.
Gary and I would like to thank the staff at Harbor Chase for the care they provided, especially the girls that took care of her on a daily basis. Also, we would like to thank Haven Hospice for her care and treatment in making sure she was comfortable in her final days.
There will be a private graveside service on Saturday, October 7, 2017 under Evans-Carter Funeral Home with Father Sebastian of Saint Madeleine Catholic Church of High Springs, Fl officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society, Haven Hospice, or the Ronald McDonald House.
