Margery Irene Burgess (née Hunt), beloved by all who knew her, was known by most as Marge, Mom, Nana, Auntie, Great Nana, and Nana B.
Born in Meredith, New Hampshire on October 20, 1931, she was the only child of Frances Irene Hunt (née Norie), a teacher, and Edward Atherton Hunt, a bookkeeper. For much of her childhood, Margery lived in Sudbury, Massachusetts, where she attended the Red Stone School, a tiny, red, one-room schoolhouse that is still preserved in Sudbury today. Her family later moved to Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, where Margery graduated from Story High School on Bennett Street in 1949.
It was at Story High School that Margery met Gordon F. Burgess, the love of her life, whom she later married in 1952. Gordon was called to set sail in the Navy on the U.S.S. Baltimore when Margery was pregnant with their first child in 1953. While away from each other, Gordon and Margery wrote love letters every day.
Margery and Gordon had two children, Gordon and Leslie. Margery and Gordon Sr. lived most of their married lifein a house in Manchester, which was built by Margery’s grandfather George Norie in the early 1900s. Margery worked full-time for 50 years as a skilled nurse at Addison Gilbert Hospital, Beverly Hospital, and Oakwood Nursing Home. She raised her children and three grandchildren Justin, Tyler, and Ashley (whom she called “my babies”) in the family home in Manchester. Her children and grandchildren all grew up in Manchester and graduated from the Manchester public schools.
Gordon Sr. passed away in 1995 at the age of 66after battling cancer. Years later, Margery moved closer to her sister-in-lawElaine Burgess in Newport Park on Pine Street. Margery and Elaine were a spunky, adventurous duo that earned the playful nickname “Thelma and Louise.” They were a memorable pair and could often be seen tooling around Cape Ann in an old white Grand Marquis(aka “The Tank”), visiting with friends and family at their favorite local haunts. Margery cared for her sister-in-law until Elaine passed away in February 2019.
Margery was genuine. She loved selflessly and took care of others. She supported local businesses and donated to countless charities. She was sharp and quick-witted with a fun sense of humor, and she was more patient and strong than she would ever give herself credit for. She held up respectable standards like “no hats in the house,” and “no cheating” in board games. She never missed sending a birthday, Christmas, or anniversary card. She was known well for her good-humored “Nana-isms,” sayings like, “God love your cotton socks!” and “Kiss my grits!” Though she was too humble to admit it, Margery was a good cook. Visitors looked forward to enjoying her famous homemade fudge and peanut brittle, and loved ones filled up on her sweet apple and pecan pies, balsamic onions, buttered rolls, and boiled dinners. She made the people around her feel loved.
Both in life and in death, Margery brought people together. Her warmth and welcoming nature endeared her to all who knew and met her. She always kept her door open to her beloved family and friends, with the offer of a bowl of popcorn, a cold drink, and a comfy chair. She consistently had guests for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour, which was a testament to how many people loved her and wanted to be in her presence. She never turned anyone away.
In her final days, Margery was still making new friends, and was visited and telephoned by loved ones near and far. She passed away on September 14, 2019, surrounded by family. She was 87. She is sorely missed by her two surviving children Gordon (Donna Burgess) and Leslie (John Mason); by her three grandchildren Justin (Jill Mason), Tyler (Hannah Harvey), and Ashley; by her great-grandchildren Judd, Juniper, and a third due in December 2019; and by her many, many friends and family in and outside of the United States. In her honor, a public service and burial will be held at Rosedale Cemetery in Manchester on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Margery’s honor to the American Heart Association.
As we say our farewell-for-now, it feels only fitting to quote the then 24-year-old Gordon Sr. in a love letter he wrote to his “wonderful wife” from aboard the U.S.S. Baltimore in 1953: “I love you, I love you, my Darling. Sweet dreams and God bless you forever and ever. I love you, I love you.”
