Cochran, Marjorie R.

Marjorie R. Cochran passed away Jan. 30, 2013, in Fort Myers, Fla.

Born Dec. 28, 1918, in Fort Wayne, Ind., Marjorie was the second of three children born to Oscar and Hazel Rohrbaugh. She was a graduate of Millikin University, Decatur, Ill., and was a schoolteacher before her marriage to Charles M. Cochran in 1944.

Marjorie and Charles raised five children: Charles Jr. (1946-), Susan (1949-1950), Richard (1951-2012), and twins Jeanette and Jacqueline (1953-).

Marjorie was deeply involved in the college communities at which Charles served as financial officer, first at Franklin College in Franklin, Ind., followed by Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, beginning in 1957. During Charles' 29 years at Cornell, Marjorie was known to all new faculty members as she welcomed each one to the college community with a warm hello and freshly-baked, homemade apple pie.

Marjorie was active in the AAUW Chapter in Mount Vernon, as well as volunteer work and book clubs. She also continued her work in education as a substitute teacher in the Mount Vernon and Lisbon schools.

Upon Charles' retirement from Cornell in 1986, he and Marjorie retired to Pocasset, Mass., and later to Fort Myers, Fla. Marjorie was active in the women's golf clubs at Pocasset Country Club and Seven Lakes Golf Club. She also enjoyed bridge and other card games and learned to play bocce while in her 80s.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles, in 2004.

In addition to remaining children, Marjorie is survived by a sister-in-law, Barbara Whitney (Herbert); seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; six nieces and nephews; and friends across the country.

The family is deeply indebted to her wonderful caregivers in Fort Myers, especially Deborah Norman.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Charles M. Cochran Endowed Scholarship Fund at Cornell College (Mount Vernon, Iowa), or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Jimmy Fund (Boston, Mass.).

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 2 at Edison Hall in Cypress Cove (10100 Cypress Cove Dr., Fort Myers).

Published Feb. 1, 2013 in The Gazette