Margorie "Marge" V. Killam

Margorie "Marge" Killam was born and grew up on a farm, growing up in Boxford, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Paul L Killam and Edith W Clothey and had three brothers, Paul Killam (Elaine) of VA, David Killam (Barbara), and Charles Killam (Helen, and then Beverley). Marge graduated from Topsfield High School and went on to secretarial school , into secretarial work, and then on to obtain computer skills and work in computer work at Sylvania Light Bulbs in Salem, Massachusetts for many years. With two Killam Cousins Marge helped create and amply illustrate the genealogy of “Chester Killam and his descendants.”

Marge was deeply involved in her community, in her local Grange, in playing the piano and leading singing in local nursing homes, and transforming a beautiful old house in Newburyport, Mass, (Which she bought for $9,000, and thoroughly enjoyed remaking it by herself.) She lived there with several precious rescued pets and had a very close community of friends for decades.

Her adventurous spirit was fulfilled with travelling often and by sailing and yacht racing with her close friend Walter.

In her later years she volunteered at the local library carrying out every role there at various times, from servicing the needs of patrons, to computer work, etc.

She walked miles every day with neighbors and she constantly knitted to provide warmth for people and animals alike. She taught herself amazing knitting skills and created extraordinary items, as well as trained her nieces to be the next generation of beautiful knitters.

Marge was a compassionate and concerned advocate for her brother’s needs and their families’ as well as many friends’ needs. I remember her taking it upon herself to be searching for special gifts that were personal, or had the personal name on them, for people. When I was a child she would have special things made for me because my name, a created name, was never on anything one could purchase and she didn’t want me to feel left out.

Whenever she visited my parents and I was in town, she would have me help her snoop through the house and then take me shopping. When she flew away there was a special wrapped box for them of items she noticed either could use to be replaced or were lacking. This included things like new helpful kitchen gadgets, towels, sheet sets, tools, etc. The items were always practical and nice and new.

I imagine she did this for a lot of people, just leaving her love letter to them in the way of making their lives easier. Marge also went out of her way to create a personal relationship with every Sister-in-law, (Elaine, Barbara, Helen, and Beverly,), nieces and nephews-in-law, (Susan (Michael) and Jera (Wesley),) and grandnieces (Cathy and Jessi,) and grandnephews, (Chris and Josh.)

She would take every opportunity to join our family when all the kids and grandkids were around, and no matter where we planned to go or what we planned to do on the visit, she’d make sure she was there to be with us and to cheer each brother, sister-in-law, and all their kids on, in her own, unique, special way.

She also enjoyed joining her friend Lorraine at First Parish Church congregational Ladies’ Craft Group in Dover to have wonderful time together chatting and crafting together….and of course, giving away everything she made.

Marge finished out her time at Atria Merrimack, and then Atria Marland Place, spontaneously singing the 23rd Psalm, making friends and knitting for animals and for cold residents, giving away many lap blankets, hats, and sometimes scarves. She sometimes played the piano in the main sitting room, and she enjoyed visits from a precious friend, Matt Collins, weekly.

She worked her whole life at caring and giving and has finished her job well and so honorably.

We, Paul, Susan, and Jera, would like to invite everyone to leave a memory of Marge on this site and to donate to a local pet shelter near you in Margie’s honor.