Marjorie Lee Bitter Kjellstrom

Marjorie was born on January 8, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. "I was born into the world hungry. I was sucking on my fist and crying for my breakfast, when they saw me for the first time." She would try to outdo the minister with her baby prattle.

She moved a lot over the years since her dad worked for Calumet Baking Powder. In 1930, the family was transferred from Chicago, Illinois to go to Peoria, Illinois. While she was in school there she built a doll house that was sent to the State Fair. The doll house she built was given to a children orphanage.

From there they moved several other places ending up in Atlanta, Georgia. When she was twelve years old, she took her first train ride alone with her friend to see her grandfather in Indianapolis, Indiana for the summer. Her father paid the porter to watch them until they got to Indianapolis, Indiana. She was active in Campfire Girls and received the Torch Bearer's privileges.

In August, 1936, was their final moved to Miami, Florida. Her father was in charge of closing out this part of the company and had to start looking for a new job. He was able to find a job working at the Post Office. She went to Miami Edison Sr High School. Her high school friends called her "Margie". She was a member of the Pan America Club where she had a chance to meet the consul from Santo Domingo. The purpose of the meeting was to collect materials about the island. She felt a little embarrassed since the whole conversation was in Spanish. She also attended the Pan America State convention where the Queen of Latin America was crowned by Mrs. Thomas Edison. She had the honor to get her autograph. The summer before graduating, she spent the summer with her grandfather. One night, after dancing and having fun at her Cousin Jane's house her grandfather caught Tom kissing her at the front door, her grandfather was so upset that he ended up calling her mom.

After graduating from high school in June, 1941, Margie attended Florida State, which at the time was an all girl school, for two years and finish her degree as Dental Hygienist at Temple University. After graduating, she returned home to Miami. She passed her Florida State Board in 1945. She found a job working with Doctors Conrad and Ed Arnold. Margie met and fell in love with Martin the boy that lived across the street and was married on June 3, 1945. She was active in Eastern Star and her church circles at First United Methodist Church in Miami. They had three children, Lynda, Peggy, and Martin David Jr. She was very active in her children lives by taking them to many events including scout meetings and functions, 4H, Cadettes, football games, and other school and church functions. One year she was cookie chairman for the Girl Scouts in our area and we had our double garage was full of Girl Scout cookies. A cost of one box of cookies was fifty cents. She was a loving and caring mother who was always there for us. She was a great listener, problem solver and story reader.

In 1976, after working twenty-five years as a dental hygienist in Miami, she moved up to Port Salerno to take care of her mom until she passed. She continued to work here until she retired in 1986. She loved to travel with her mom visiting family member and to see the world. She was extremely active in her circles and vacation bible school at First United Methodist Church in Stuart. She was active in the bible study at the Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church. She also worked at the Hospice thrift store. Her favorite pastime was taking long walks with her dog, Sammy, and her friend Mary.

She enjoyed the special times with her grandchildren Christopher, Julie, Suzanne, Debbie and Becky who lived all over the world. Later she treasured the moments with her great grandchildren Justin, Maria, Wiley, Daniel, Mark, Grant, Molly, Amelia, and Sarah.

Her last years were very trying as Alzheimer took her mind but she never lost her faith and love for her family and friends. We will miss her greatly.