Marguerite Bjorkley, 93
Jan. 31, 1919-March 13, 2012
Niles Daily Star, Published online 11:09pm Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Marquerite Rayburn (Marg) Bjorkley, 93, passed away in Niles following an illness.
She was born in Niles to James Ernest Rayburn and Clyda Mary Blackburn, who had migrated to Niles from McMinnville, Tenn. Marg was predeceased by her parents and her two brothers, James (Jim) Edmond and John Nathan (Nate) Rayburn.
At age 24, Marge met and married the love of her life, Herman C. (Hermie) Schweitzer.
They enjoyed a life of marital bliss until his sudden death in 1964. More than 20 years later, Marg retired from Sears when she married Ingvald (Skip) Bjorkley, who passed away in 2003. Marg loved Niles and its people, and she embraced the small-town atmosphere that Niles provided during her entire lifetime.
Marg will be remembered for her sweetness, culinary skills and ironic humor in the face of the many adversities that she bravely endured.
Although she never had children, Marg nurtured many young people, providing them with encouragement and her personal tidbits of wisdom for a happy life.
Survivors include a nephew, James Patrick Rayburn (Eileen); two nieces, Mary Rayburn Kennedy (Rick) and Laura Rayburn Mashburn (Bobby); three great-nephews and three great-nieces, all of Georgia.
Per Marg’s wishes, interment was a private graveside service March 14 at Silverbrook Cemetery, where she resides next to her beloved, Hermie.
The eulogy was courtesy of a loved paternal cousin, the Rev. John Kenton Rayburn of Granger.
Family and friends of Marguerite are invited to reunite and celebrate her life Friday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express on South 11th Street in Niles.