Obituary for Marjorie Tenety
CAMDEN - Marjorie Tenety, almost 96, passed away at Sussman House in Rockport, Saturday, January 19, 2019.
Born in Ohio, February 14, 1923, Marjorie was the daughter of the late Clarence and Aileen Dobry. She was sister to the late Audrey Donovan (Dobry) and aunt to the late Margie Donovan. She was the wife of the late James (Jim) Tenety, a retired Naval Commander. She is survived by her nephew and niece, Johnny Donovan and Kathy Donovan (John Rose), being their devoted, favorite aunt. In addition, she is survived by her cousins, Brenda Luwis and Roger Thrippleton, and their families; a great niece and nephew; Carol, her personal caretaker; and many friends at Quarry Hill Retirement Community in Camden where she resided, throughout Maine, several states, England, and Scotland. Burial will be private in Ohio.
“She’s small but mighty” Jim Tenety would often characterize his wife, Marjorie. She was a proud Coast Guard World War II SPAR veteran who served in Washington, D.C. and New York during the war and was among the first few female Coast Guard recruits from Ohio. She utilized her artistic, decorative, and culinary talents in retail sales (Ohio, 1940s-1950s), as a clothing buyer for Bonwit Teller (Cleveland, 1950s-60s), in antique sales and as an antique shop owner (1960s-2013), in hotel and restaurant management (Virginia, 1970s), and as a department-store window decorator (Virginia, 1978).
Shortly after their marriage in 1978, Marjorie and Jim moved from Virginia to Camden, Maine where they treasured the beauty and activities of coastal Maine. They ran a successful antique shop (1980s-1990s) and were avid, influential gardeners. A plaque on an opera chair at the Camden Opera House and a plaque on a wall of the Camden library honor their contributions for local events and the library restructuring. The plaques reflect their love of opera, classical music, books, and libraries and illustrate their devotion to the opera house, library, and their beloved hometown of Camden.
Marjorie was a principal organizer of the first annual Camden-Rockport Historical Society Antique Show 38 years ago, awarding the contract and arranging the location. Together she and Jim participated in many of these annual Camden shows, with her last show in 2013. Further, they participated in numerous annual Civil War antique shows in various states (1980s-90s) and operated their Camden antique shop.
Marjorie and Jim relished time spent with friends and family, often entertaining with delectable and creative meals prepared by Marjorie. They enjoyed frequent travels with their favorite travel destination of England where they particularly enjoyed seeking treasures for their antique shop, touring the lovely countryside, and visiting with friends. They traveled to Europe nearly 40 times.
With her passion for gardening and as an inspiration to others, Marjorie was a member of the Camden Garden Club from 1980 to 2019 and served in various roles including as President of the Camden Garden Club (1990s) and Medomak Chairman (1995-97) to oversee seven garden clubs in nearby towns, as well as other project leadership positions (1980s-90s). As Tree Chairman (1981-83), she was the driving force behind Camden’s original designation as “Tree City USA.” Marjorie implemented the beatification project of Camden that included reinstituting the flower baskets on light poles in downtown Camden and creation of the island of flowers in front of the church building at Route 1 and Mountain Street. These accomplishments are part of her legacy with results that remain in place today. Until her death, she was the oldest living past president. Camden Garden Club Board of Directors honored Marjorie in 2001 with the title Emeritus Member for her significant contributions.
Known for her endearing sense of humor, Marjorie would dress at Quarry Hill’s Halloween event as the Good Tooth Witch, equipped with a giant toothbrush, to counsel young trick-or-treaters on the value of brushing teeth and dental hygiene. She would entertain people with engaging tales from meeting celebrities during her Coast Guard service to her many travel escapades to rare finds at flea markets which included meeting her future husband and love of her life, Jim, for 33 years.
She will be missed.
Born in Ohio, February 14, 1923, Marjorie was the daughter of the late Clarence and Aileen Dobry. She was sister to the late Audrey Donovan (Dobry) and aunt to the late Margie Donovan. She was the wife of the late James (Jim) Tenety, a retired Naval Commander. She is survived by her nephew and niece, Johnny Donovan and Kathy Donovan (John Rose), being their devoted, favorite aunt. In addition, she is survived by her cousins, Brenda Luwis and Roger Thrippleton, and their families; a great niece and nephew; Carol, her personal caretaker; and many friends at Quarry Hill Retirement Community in Camden where she resided, throughout Maine, several states, England, and Scotland. Burial will be private in Ohio.
“She’s small but mighty” Jim Tenety would often characterize his wife, Marjorie. She was a proud Coast Guard World War II SPAR veteran who served in Washington, D.C. and New York during the war and was among the first few female Coast Guard recruits from Ohio. She utilized her artistic, decorative, and culinary talents in retail sales (Ohio, 1940s-1950s), as a clothing buyer for Bonwit Teller (Cleveland, 1950s-60s), in antique sales and as an antique shop owner (1960s-2013), in hotel and restaurant management (Virginia, 1970s), and as a department-store window decorator (Virginia, 1978).
Shortly after their marriage in 1978, Marjorie and Jim moved from Virginia to Camden, Maine where they treasured the beauty and activities of coastal Maine. They ran a successful antique shop (1980s-1990s) and were avid, influential gardeners. A plaque on an opera chair at the Camden Opera House and a plaque on a wall of the Camden library honor their contributions for local events and the library restructuring. The plaques reflect their love of opera, classical music, books, and libraries and illustrate their devotion to the opera house, library, and their beloved hometown of Camden.
Marjorie was a principal organizer of the first annual Camden-Rockport Historical Society Antique Show 38 years ago, awarding the contract and arranging the location. Together she and Jim participated in many of these annual Camden shows, with her last show in 2013. Further, they participated in numerous annual Civil War antique shows in various states (1980s-90s) and operated their Camden antique shop.
Marjorie and Jim relished time spent with friends and family, often entertaining with delectable and creative meals prepared by Marjorie. They enjoyed frequent travels with their favorite travel destination of England where they particularly enjoyed seeking treasures for their antique shop, touring the lovely countryside, and visiting with friends. They traveled to Europe nearly 40 times.
With her passion for gardening and as an inspiration to others, Marjorie was a member of the Camden Garden Club from 1980 to 2019 and served in various roles including as President of the Camden Garden Club (1990s) and Medomak Chairman (1995-97) to oversee seven garden clubs in nearby towns, as well as other project leadership positions (1980s-90s). As Tree Chairman (1981-83), she was the driving force behind Camden’s original designation as “Tree City USA.” Marjorie implemented the beatification project of Camden that included reinstituting the flower baskets on light poles in downtown Camden and creation of the island of flowers in front of the church building at Route 1 and Mountain Street. These accomplishments are part of her legacy with results that remain in place today. Until her death, she was the oldest living past president. Camden Garden Club Board of Directors honored Marjorie in 2001 with the title Emeritus Member for her significant contributions.
Known for her endearing sense of humor, Marjorie would dress at Quarry Hill’s Halloween event as the Good Tooth Witch, equipped with a giant toothbrush, to counsel young trick-or-treaters on the value of brushing teeth and dental hygiene. She would entertain people with engaging tales from meeting celebrities during her Coast Guard service to her many travel escapades to rare finds at flea markets which included meeting her future husband and love of her life, Jim, for 33 years.
She will be missed.