Marjorie Jean Bannon White-Wilson died unexpectedly on Sept. 19 at Windemere Nursing Home, one month before her 90th birthday. She moved to Martha’s Vineyard a year ago to be closer to her daughter Jill White of Vineyard Haven. Previously, Marjorie was in Woodridge Nursing Home in Montpelier, Vermont.

Born in Flushing, N.Y., on Oct. 20, 1924, Marjorie spent most of her life in White Plains, N.Y. After graduating from White Plains High School in 1942 she pursued a course in dental hygiene attending the Guggenheim School for Dental Hygienists in Manhattan, graduating 1943. After 12 years in private practice, she finished her career in White Plains as a teacher of dental health throughout the White Plains school district, with certification from Bridgewater State in dental health education. As a charter member and treasurer of the Westchester Dental Hygiene Association she was selected to be the director from West Chester to the New York State Dental Association. Cited for outstanding contributions to children’s dental health and to the students of Columbia, she was made honorary member of her profession’s honor society, Sigma Phi Alpha Lamda in 1982. Marjorie’s career as a dental hygienist didn’t stop when she chose early retirement and moved to Vermont in 1984. She gained her Vermont license and at the age of 70 was awarded Vermont Dental Hygienist of the Year. At this time she decided to put her tools to rest. Marjorie truly was the tooth fairy, as her license plate proclaimed.

Marjorie was a charter member in PEO in Richmond, Vt., and headed up the philanthropic education program. It is said that she wrote the best letters, obtaining grants awarded to select women for their educational pursuits. Marjorie also enjoyed volunteering giving tours at the State House in Montpelier for many years.

She was an extraordinarily strong woman who survived many obstacles yet was able to remain positive. The Episcopal church was her guiding religious faith. She was member of St. Bartholomew’s Church in White Plains, and Christ Church in Montpelier. Her warm and vivacious personality welcomed everyone in her home and in her company. She was known for her gregarious nature, the gift of gab and her wit. She loved to cook and entertain. Graciousness was her trademark with please and thank you on her lips until her dying day. Marjorie valued and maintained long term friendships and didn’t shy away from making new ones as she traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Predeceased by her husband Ernest B. White in 1965, she went on to raise their three children. Marjorie married for a second time in 1999 to David Wilson in Montpelier. Their short time together brought her love again until he died in 2001. She is survived by her children: Janice Porter and husband Scott Porter, Jeffrey White, and Jill White; her seven grandchildren, Alyssa Keating, Myles Keating, Jonathan Porter, Eric Porter, Lindsey Porter, Christopher White and Matthew White, as well as two great-grandchildren.

Marjorie’s family holds heartfelt appreciation for the loving caregivers who maintained her quality of life at home for several years on Murray Hill and Westview Meadows in Montpelier.

A celebration of Marjorie’s life will take place at Windemere Nursing Home on Monday, Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m.

A graveside service and memorial celebration will be held in White Plains, N.Y., at a date to be determined. Marjorie’s final memorial tribute in Montpelier will take place in the spring.

Condolences may be sent to: Family of Marjorie White-Wilson c/o Jill White, 455 State Road, #168, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.