Obituary

Marjorie A. Desmond

Fri, 03/17/2023 - 8:30am

Marjorie Ann Desmond, 86, of Strafford, New Hampshire died peacefully in her home on Aug. 28, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts on May 11, 1936, the eldest daughter of Ernest and Florence (Richard) Pilman. Raised in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, she had a fondness for the ocean air and was an avid collector of lighthouses.

As an Air Force wife, she lived in Florida, Texas, Alaska and finally settled in Portsmouth, New Hampshire where she was in civil service at Pease AFB for 25+ years.

She was passionate about her job as chief of logistics for Material Control and former co-workers remember her as a force to be reckoned with as she never faced a challenge that could not be overcome. She finished her professional career working in IT for the Seacoast United Way, who at the time of her departure had their offices at Pease. Shortly after her official retirement, she moved to Strafford so she could be closer to her grandchildren.

Marge (Maggie) was often referred to as a “second mom” to many and she enjoyed going to yard sales, collecting sand dollars and spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Florence Pilman, grandson, Maxwell Borgie, and granddaughter, Meredith Roberts.

She is survived by her sister JoAnne Jones of Boothbay Harbor; her son, Ronald Roberts; daughters Lynda Roberts of Minneapolis, Patti Roberts of Strafford and Mary (James) Buehrer of Strafford; three grandchildren Holly (Peter) Ainslie of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sarah and Jacob Buehrer of Strafford, two great-grandchildren Archer and Virginia Ainslie and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund https://childrenscancer.org/