Marjorie Ruth Montague (née Robinson), of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on Feb. 20, 2023, at the St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.
She made it, as she said, to “one-hundred-and-a-half” exceptionally well-lived years.
Marjorie was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 17, 1922, the first child of Samuel L. and Dora Robinson (née Abramson), both originally from St. Joseph, Missouri.
Marjorie attended Dundee Elementary and Central High Schools in Omaha, then Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she majored in anthropology and graduated with honors on June 14, 1944.
While at Northwestern, Marjorie met an Air Corps officer, Samuel Alfred Montague of New Orleans, Louisiana, on a blind date. On June 21, 1944, Marjorie married Sam in the garden of her parents’ home in Omaha.
After her marriage, Marjorie accompanied Sam to most of his military postings, experiencing parts of the country new to both of them and making friends along the way. Her son, Samuel R. (known as “Robbie" or “Rob") was born in Omaha in May of 1946.
Marriage to Sam, a professional journalist, public relations practitioner, and professional fund raiser, led to continued frequent moves across the U.S. and then abroad. In 1948, the family moved to Mexico City, where Sam had accepted a job with a joint U.S.-Mexican government commission, and then as press attaché with the U.S. Embassy, remaining in Mexico until 1956. Marjorie’s second son, Richard, was born in Mexico City in 1949, as were her daughters, Teresa and Lisa, in 1951 and 1953. Eight years of life in Mexico forever influenced Marjorie and her family.
Following several moves after returning to the U.S., the family settled in Kansas City in 1959, becoming members of Congregation B’nai Jehudah. Marjorie was active in the Sisterhood and also joined the National Council of Jewish Women, becoming one of the original members of its study group, which met monthly for more than 50 years for friendship and discussion of books and current events. When it was formed in 1966, Marjorie and Sam became original, lifelong members of the New Reform Temple.
After the children were grown, Marjorie rejoined Sam on the road as office manager and chief assistant of his fundraising campaigns in communities across the country. Returning to Kansas City, Marjorie joined Sam in various projects, including publishing an ahead-of-its-time weekly newspaper dedicated to promoting and reviving the city’s then-declining downtown. For several years Marjorie also worked for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and as office manager of the Kansas City bureau of the New York Times.
Marjorie was renowned as a great cook with a natural talent for cooking and baking. After her long residence in Mexico, she and the family especially enjoyed her Mexican dishes. She also had a particular weakness for all things chocolate. Everything she made was delicious and served with love. A favorite from the cookbook she wrote for family members is her memorable bourbon-and-pepper steak sauce, inspired by the recipe of the maître d' at the Prince Hotel in Mexico City:
“Sauté a handful of cracked peppercorns in a half-stick of [pareve margarine – Earth Balance works best for this], add a dash of [kosher/vegan] Worcestershire sauce and a bit of chopped parsley for color, and when foaming add 1/4 cup of Bourbon whiskey. Simmer very slowly for about five minutes and pour over steaks to serve.”
Marjorie and Sam both enjoyed games of strategy and played bridge regularly with friends. At home, they loved playing a particularly competitive version of Scrabble.
Above all, Marjorie will always be remembered for her never-failing kindness, gentleness, light-heartedness, and sweetness of spirit. She was genuinely loved by everyone who knew her. She lived her belief in “tikkun olam,” and the world is a better place because of her.
Marjorie was predeceased by her parents; brother, James Robinson; and sister, Joan Rips, all of Omaha, Nebraska; and by her beloved husband, Sam, and son, Richard, both of Overland Park, Kansas. She is survived by her children Samuel (“Rob”), Lisa, of Overland Park, and Teresa, of Clifton, Maine; grandson Eli Baird Duncan, also of Clifton; nieces and cousins.
Marjorie will be interred with her husband Sam in a private graveside ceremony at the Fort Leavenworth military cemetery. She and Sam spent part of their honeymoon at the Fort. Their burial there, together, brings their history full circle.
Donations in memory of Marjorie may be made to any public library or public television station.
A full obituary may be viewed at kccremation.com.
