Marjorie "Marge" A. (Duckett) Withrow

Marjorie (Marge) Withrow

January 12, 1947-August 11, 2025

Marjorie Ann Withrow, daughter of Freda and Harry Duckett, passed away on August 11, 2025. Marge attended Union High School in West College Corner, Indiana and graduated from Miami University with a B.A. in English Education. She received two Masters' Degrees from Xavier University -- in Guidance Counseling and Education (Administration). Marge married Ray Withrow on August 21,1976 and they celebrated 48 years of marriage at the time of her death. Marge began her career in the Hamilton City School District but moved to the Fairfield City School District after one year. She remained in Fairfield until her retirement in 2008, serving as a teacher, counselor and assistant principal.

Marge was a rare individual who always had a heart for the underdog. She defined the term, "Servant Leader." Marge may have been the most caring and compassionate person most have ever met. As a teacher, counselor and assistant principal, Marge gave herself and her financial support to anyone in need. The children and families were blessed by her generous heart on so many occasions. Marge bought beds for children who were sleeping on the floor in their houses. She purchased groceries for countless families. One time the Health Department was going to condemn a family's home because they didn't have adequate flooring. So, in order to keep these children in their home and same school district, she purchased flooring. No child ever missed lunch because they were too poor to pack or buy a lunch and too embarrassed to ask for assistance. Marge knew who those students were and took care of the payments behind the scenes. Further, every Christmas, Marge and her husband Ray made their rounds to those families and delivered bicycles and other wonderful gifts to those in need.

Marge not only helped the students, but she also frequently served adults as well. On one occasion, a nine-month pregnant mother was a victim of domestic violence. This mother was pregnant with twins and living in her car with another child. Marge found an apartment for the mother and her child and paid a landlord two months' rent until the mother could get back on her feet. She helped the homeless and always had a listening ear for anyone who needed to be heard. Every act of kindness that Marge performed, she did so anonymously.

Marge's love of animals continued until she took her last breath. She found homes for every stray dog or cat and paid vet bills until they were well. She took on feral cat

colonies and trapped, neutered, fed and paid those vet bills on a regular basis. Marge was not a wealthy woman, but she and her incredible husband, Ray, gave so much to so many for so long.

Marge spent her life caring for elderly relatives, especially her Aunt Elnora (Dee) Kehr. Her almost daily visits to the Knolls of Oxford brought cheer, treats, seasonal decorations and gifts for Dee and the staff.

Marge absolutely loved working in Fairfield and took great pride in creating the master schedule for 2000 students each year. She adored the faculty and staff and provided special breakfasts and luncheons for them throughout the years. On many occasions she expressed that she had retired too soon as she had so much more to give.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a former Board member at Zion Lutheran Church and assisted with communion.

Besides Ray, Marge's greatest love was her special fur babies (dogs): Skipper, Lucky, Sugar, Scooter, Max, Mindy, Benji and cat Molly. All of these pets preceded her in death except, Benji. Marge was also preceded in death by her mother and father whom she adored, her mother and father-in-law, Katherine and William Withrow, and brother-in-law, David Withrow. Marge leaves to grieve her passing, a brother, Michael (Betsy) Duckett, two nieces, Shelley and Tymie Duckett , many special friends and neighbors -especially her "adopted" family, the extended family of B. Gayle Niehaus.

If Marge wanted those that she left behind to honor her life at her passing, I'm certain she would choose to have them perform an act of kindness to an animal or consider helping lighten the load of someone in need.

Visitation will be held on Friday August 22, 2025, from 11:00am until the time of service (1:00pm) at Avance Funeral Home & Crematory, 4976 Winton Rd. Fairfield, OH 45014. Burial to follow at College Corner Cemetery, Brookville Pike, West College Corner, IN 47003. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.avancefuneralhome.com