Margery Anne Ellis

April 13, 2015

Margery Anne Abbott Ellis Margie died from complications of Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 77. She was born in St. Louis Missouri to Robert and Marguerite Abbott. Margie met her husband, Bob, at university freshman orientation; they were married after graduation. Over the course of their 56 year marriage they had two wonderful daughters, Susan and Patricia. The family lived in many US states including Missouri, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, California and Arizona. Margie worked as a computer programmer and systems analyst for several organizations until retiring in 1992. She received a Bachelor of Technology Degree from Washington Univ. in St. Louis. She was the first woman to receive that degree. Other than her her family, her passions were needlework of many different forms beginning w/ knitting when she was still in college and progressing to quilting and genealogy. She made a large number of clothes for her daughters and herself. Her quilts included one for each of her grandchildren, our lives together and many decorative quilts. Her genealogy research created a significant collection of primary documents and photos as well as many pages of notes and documentation of her and Bob's families. They were also able to visit many of the sites of graves and locations of their ancestors as well as making several personal family connections with currently living relatives. Margie is survived by her husband of 56 years, Robert Ellis; daughters Susan Wood- Gaines and Patricia Gourley; sons-in-law Kirk Wood-Gaines and Scott Gourley; grandchildren Lyle, Marguerite, Anna, Scott and Destiny; great-granddaughter Carson Lane; brother Robert Abbott; brother-in-law Bradley Ellis and sisters-in-law Suzanne and Ann. A celebration of her life for family and friends will be held at a later date. The family wishes to thank her long time caregivers Judi, Lainey, Audrey and Helen who were instrumental in her well-being during her final years. We also thank the staffs of the Alzheimer's Association's Northern Arizona Region office, Home Instead Senior Care, Highgate Senior Living and Granite Mountain Hospice who helped so much during her long illness. Her husband wishes to thank daughters Suzy and Patty, his brother Brad and members of the Alzheimer's Association's Prescott Caregiver Support Group for their steadfast support during Margie's long illness. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 3111 Clearwater Drive, Prescott, AZ 86305.