Marjorie E. (Hart♥) Lange, 92 of Mentor, gently drifted to eternal peace at her home on Saturday, Feb 15, 2014, surrounded by her family and cherished pets.

Marge was born at home in Willoughby on a snowy February 18th in 1921 to Lisle and Elizabeth Hart. The doctor and nurse (Marjorie) came to the home by streetcar from downtown Cleveland and were paid for their services with glasses of red wine.

A graduate of the former Willoughby Union High School, Marge is one of the few women of her generation to be inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. She received a B.S. Degree of Dietary Science in 1942 from Miami University of Ohio and was a lifelong contributor to the school’s foundation.

Marge gained real life experience while working at her parents’ gas station/lunch counter business, Farm Acres, located on the corner of Routes 91 and 84 in Willoughby. Following college Marge worked as a restaurant dietician at Higbee’s department store and the legendary Halle Tea Room both in Cleveland.

Always active in her community, Marge was a Girl Scout troop leader, member of the Brentmoor PTA, charter member of the Southwest Mentor Civic Association, member of Brentmoor Garden Club, and dedicated Meals on Wheels and American Cancer Society volunteer. Working alongside her husband, Howard, Marge was one of the first women to serve on the Lake County Civil Defense Rescue team.

Satisfying one of her true passions, the love of animals, Marge was a devoted member of the West Highland White Terrier Club of Northern Ohio, where she held various board positions including Club president. For over 20 years Marge enjoyed travelling the dog show circuit making lifelong friendships while showing her “Westies”, all of which became US and Canadian Champions.

Every year Marge looked forward to the first “smell” of spring. She loved her yard, trees and being one with nature.

From her experiences in the food service industry and family businesses Marge developed into an exceptional cook – known for her prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, layered bacon salad, chili sauce, and ginger snap cookies.

Marge would often share the following poem with her friends at time of reflection.
Put yesterday behind you
It’s gone and won’t come back;
And we cannot see ahead
Far down tomorrow’s track.
Enjoy the fleeting moments
That come just for today,
The sweet song of a bluebird,
The morning’s suns ray,
A warm and loving hand clasp
Welcome letters in the mail
A bunch of fragrant violets
Rain splashing in a pail
Each day has something special,
Some joy or souvenirs
It might be gone tomorrow
So enjoy it while it’s here
(Author Unknown)

Marge is survived by her children, Lance (Jennifer) Lange, Margelaine (Bernard) Rye and JoAnn (Curtis) Crowder; grandchildren, Ryan (Amanda) Lange, Katherine (Michael) Sargent and Daniel Crowder; great-grandchild, Michael Sargent; brother, Jay Dan (Gretchen) Hart; sister-in-law, Patricia Hart; plus her treasured extended family members from the Hart, Marlow, Homa, Gast, Platzar and Mikus families.

Over the years Marge’s life always included four legged family members. Those surviving her: Dogs, Tigger, Brooke, William, Anna and WoBeGone; Cats, Caddie and Mr.Biggs; Horse, Jack (aka Mito)

The family wishes to extended sincere appreciation to the home health aides from Visiting Angels and team from Grace Hospice for taking such great care of Marge allowing her to stay in her home.

Marge is preceded in death by her loving husband of 28 years, Howard Lange, who died on Valentine’s Day 1976, dear brother, Richard Hart and dear sisters-in-law Jeanne Hart and Barbara Hart.

Family will be holding a celebration of Marge’s life at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts in Marge’s memory to Miami University Foundation 725 East Chestnut Oxford, OH 45056 (Jane Whitehead @ 513-529-5223) or West Highland White Terrier Club of Northern Ohio’s (W.H.W.T.C.N.O.) Rescue Fund, 4939 Suzette Street, N.W. Massillon, Ohio 44647-1259.