Pippin Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 There are people who come into our lives when we least expect them. People who have no business being there, actually, but thanks to a serendipitous moment in time, they are. A chance encounter when walking across a college campus over 25 years ago led to my friendship with one of the most wonderful women I have ever known. Marge Robertson taught Social Work at my University. I was a social work major, so you'd think we'd meet. But the classes I took weren't the ones she was teaching, and so she was never my instructor. But our paths crossed outside the library one day, and she stopped and listened to whatever was on my heart at that time. She became a sort of mentor for me. I would go to her with my confusions about life and college and whatever, and she would listen, calmly and caringly, and when I left, nothing seemed as insurmountable as when I had arrived. Life took me far away from my college town, but I always knew she was there, in the house where she and her husband raised their children. I tried to visit her on the times I went back to college town. It didn't always work out, but those visits merged with our occasional phone calls and annual christmas/hannukah letters to help us keep in touch with each other's lives. I had the opportunity about 10 years ago, to tell Marge, face to face, exactly how much her friendship and encouragement had helped me over the years. She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself, and she gave me a role model of how to be a human being, alive and caring in a world that often seems bent on destroying those who care. That wasn't our last visit, thank goodness. It's just one that swam to the surface of my consciousness last Saturday, when I read the email I had hoped to never receive. I'll have no more visits with Marge. Marjorie Serby Robertson, 77 of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday June 17, 2008 at the VNA Hospice Center. She was born November 15, 1930 in Chicago, the daughter of Abraham and Geraldine (Herzog) Serby. Marjorie was a Psychiatric Social Worker and Professor of Social Work at Valparaiso University and a member of Temples Beth El and Israel. Her other involvements included League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, Adult Learning Center board of directors, Whispering Pines board of directors, Porter County Mental Health Association, Chemical People Task Force, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, and president of Moraine House board of directors. She was instrumental in the establishment of the school social worker program in Porter County and of the state-wide association of Juvenile Justice Task Forces. Her funeral was today, 700 miles north of me. I couldn't take a moment of silence at the appointed time, because I was in the middle of a conference call. But as soon as the call ended, I took time to reflect on my friend, and to thank God for our friendship. I am a better person because she was in my life. The world is a better place because she lived. And I will miss her, in ways that I have not yet begun to realize. She was a constant in my life, always available, always caring. She will still be a constant, but it will be in my heart. But that's ok - it's where she's always been, for as long as I've known her. Shalom, Marge. Thank you for sharing yourself with the world around you, and with me. Quote Mary Semper Fi, Dad - I miss you. Remembering Carla Benoist, a Greyhound/Pibble's bestest friend, Princess Zoe Brick-Butt, the little IG with the huge impact on hearts around the world - Miz Foxy - Greyhound Trish - Batman, the Roman-nosed Gentleman - Profile, the Handsome Man - Hunky the Hunkalicious - Jeany the Beautiful Lady- Zema, the most beautiful girl in the world - Jessie, the lovable nuisance - and my 3 Greys: my Angie-girl, my Casey-girl, and The Majestic Pippin, running forever in my heart. (I will always love you and miss you,my friends) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Hugs to you my friend. Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I am so sorry. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Becki Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest caiteag Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Thank you for sharing a little bit of your friend with us. Hugs and love to you, Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FullMetalFrank Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Wow; your friend sounds like an amazing woman and I am sorry you have lost her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patclara Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I am sorry about the loss of your dear friend. It is so painful, but she will never really be gone, because you will carry her throughout your life, in your heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 she born the exact same day as my Dad Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I am so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyhoundNan Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Quote Nancy and Simon Dunne, with Clown and Daisy in Greenville, SC....but missing West Yorkshire summat chronic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 What a lovely eulogy! May I suggest you print it off and share it with her family? Hugs to you as you remember her life. Quote Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatahound Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I am so sorry for your loss Mary. I had a wonderful friend like that. She has been gone since 2003, but not a day goes by that I don't think of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 she born the exact same day as my Dad She was born the day before my dad, and was the same age as my parents, but I never knew that until I read her obit. I have to say, she didn'tn look her age - in the picture I posted, she was 73. What a lovely eulogy! May I suggest you print it off and share it with her family? Hugs to you as you remember her life. That's exactly my intent. I signed the online guestbook, as well. Quote Mary Semper Fi, Dad - I miss you. Remembering Carla Benoist, a Greyhound/Pibble's bestest friend, Princess Zoe Brick-Butt, the little IG with the huge impact on hearts around the world - Miz Foxy - Greyhound Trish - Batman, the Roman-nosed Gentleman - Profile, the Handsome Man - Hunky the Hunkalicious - Jeany the Beautiful Lady- Zema, the most beautiful girl in the world - Jessie, the lovable nuisance - and my 3 Greys: my Angie-girl, my Casey-girl, and The Majestic Pippin, running forever in my heart. (I will always love you and miss you,my friends) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinggreysslp Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 What a lovely tribute to your friend. Quote Cosmo (Fuzz Face Cosmos), Holmes (He's a Dream), Boomer (USS Baby Boomer), Ella and missing our angels Clay (Red Clay), Train (Nite Train), Trip (Bock's Teddy Bear),Larry (Bohemian Frigid) and Jimmy (Bohemian Raw) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest how888 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 What a beautiful tribute to your friend.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Hugs to you. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest yipee372 Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I am sorry for your loss of your friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smday Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Oh Mary, she sounds like a wonderful women. We are always so fortunate to have someone like her in our lives. She will stay with you in spirit. Susan Quote Lexi the pointeresque mutt (1999), Homer the chi mix (2010) and Lacey the ? (2009). Always remembering Dita, Best, Oba, Bubba, and the others at the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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