Marjorie A. Daniels

Marjorie A. Daniels was a loving family woman and an accomplished professional. Her vigor for living was evident in her career advancements as well as in her personal life. She was always there for her family and deeply committed to others. Strong in faith, hope and love, Margie brought joy to her husband, children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors and strangers who soon became friends.

Marjorie was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at a time when the United States was heavily invested in the war in Europe, and the Allied Forces were nearing a long-awaited victory. While men sacrificed abroad, women worked valiantly at home to assist the war effort and stabilize the country. They became competent in business and manufacturing and confident in their ability to contribute to the American workforce, forever changing the social landscape.

On October 22, 1944, the world welcomed Marjorie. She was raised by her parents, Francis Paul and Josephine (Mitchell) Gomen. The family moved to New Jersey in the Cherry Hill area, where Francis served in the Navy and worked for the Merchant Marines as a supervisor for the Submarine Division. Margie enjoyed a childhood of going to the beach at Jersey Shore and Atlantic City, playing with her stuffed animals and teasing her siblings. In high school, she played piano and accordion, was involved with the band, competed in field hockey and was crowned prom queen. Her active lifestyle continued into adulthood as she worked, volunteered and socialized.

After graduating from Triton Regional High School in New Jersey with the class of 1962, Marjorie earned an associates degree from Goldie Beacon College in Wilmington, Delaware. For a few years she worked for the Pentagon before marrying and moving to Indiana, where she raised three children: Sean, Debbie and Matthew. Once in Indiana, Marjorie took a job with the U.S. Postal Service.

She worked hard on the job and in her volunteer activities at the Whitley County Hospital, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Churubusco and as a Eucharistic Minister, taking communion to the homebound. Prior to becoming a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Columbia City, Marjorie had attended St. John Bosco and lived out her faith in compassionate ways.

While attending a postmasters convention in Frankfort, Kentucky in 1988, Marjorie met James P. Daniels, a postmaster in the Cincinnati area. The two dated a few times before the 1989 convention in Evansville, when they became more serious. A year later they married on June 30, 1990.

Life together was filled with music and dance, travel and entertaining. Marjorie had visited Sri Lanka and together, she and Jim went on several cruises, her favorite being Alaska. On that cruise, they had the good fortune of spotting 11 whales in one day. True to her religious convictions as well as her love of travel, Marjorie and Jim also did mission work in Arizona. At home, she liked to host gatherings and bake for family and friends. Her Christmas cookies, strawberry pizza, cheesecake, and cream cheese cakes were delicious indulgences. She also enjoyed her friends seasonal wine parties.

Margie had worked for 41 years for the U.S. Post Office and served as Postmaster in Spencerville and Churubusco when she retired in November of 2009. However, she barely slowed down. Soon enough she was working part time at Goodys and at the post office. Still, she took time for herself and her family. She maintained her collection of Precious Moments and Hummel figurines and set up enough bird houses around her home so that she could enjoy the delights of nature.

Out of all the pastimes she pursued, Marjories favorite activity was spending time with her grandchildren. Typical of grandparents, Margie had been assertive and very direct with her children, but not with the grandkids. In her eyes, they could do no wrong. In truth, that meant that Marjorie loved them unconditionally as she did all her family. They will miss her dearly and remember her with deep affection.

Marjorie A. Daniels, 70, of Churubusco, Indiana, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, May 24, 2015 at her home.

Survivors include her husband of 25 years, Jim Daniels; children, Debbie (Josh) Fields of Ft. Wayne, Sean Barnes of Churubusco and Matthew (Lani) Barnes of San Diego, California; step-children, Jim (Gayle) Daniels of Allons, Tennessee, David (Missy) Daniels of Hebron, Kentucky, Joni Daniels of Dry Ridge, Kentucky and Tony (Beverly) Daniels of Burlington, Kentucky; brother, Joseph (Kathy) Gomen of Houston, Texas; sister, Christine (Todd Nicol) Gomen of San Diego, California; sister-in-law, Sandy Gomen of Ft. Wayne; nine grandchildren, Taylor Fry, Cameron Fry, Brand Barnes, Jaxon Barnes, Jimmy Daniels III, Jennifer King, Evie Daniels, T.J. Shinkle and Jason Daniels; and six great-grandchildren. Margie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Frank Gomen; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a Rosary service will begin at 4 p.m. There will also be visitation one hour prior to her Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 28, 2015 at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S Line St, Columbia City with Father Gary Sigler officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in her memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.