Marjorie Jean Fitch, one of the oldest citizens of Idaho County at 96 years of age, died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014, surrounded by her family.

She was born Dec. 5, 1917, in Lakota, N.D. Marge was an infant survivor of the influenza pandemic of 1918 that took her birth parents, Carl and Genevieve Metcalf. The Metcalf family of five rode the train from Nebraska to Kamiah to spend Christmas with her family, the Dissmores, before traveling to Oregon for work. On that train, they contracted influenza and died 15 hours apart from each other, just 12 days after celebrating their daughter Marjorie's first birthday.

According to the Kamiah Progress newspaper, dated December 1918, "The funeral of Mr. and Mrs. Carl C. Metcalf, whose sudden death was chronicled last week, was held Thursday afternoon, and was perhaps the saddest funeral that Kamiah has ever witnessed. On account of the influenza restrictions, no service could be held, excepting a short one at the grave. The friends of the deceased couple and the Dissmore family gathered at the Johnson Undertaking Parlors and a sorrowful procession followed the two hearses to the cemetery."

Marge was adopted into the loving family of Ward and Gladys Dempsey, sister of her birth mother. Marge said she always felt so blessed to have been a "Dempsey Girl." Marge attended schools in the local area, graduating from Grangeville High School in 1934, and the University of Idaho in 1939, where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Marge taught kindergarten in White Bird, where she met Woody, the love of her life. Marge and Woodrow were married July 6, 1939, in Grangeville. They moved to Republic, Wash., then to Southwick, where they taught school. Marge moved back to Grangeville in 1942, to live out the war as Woody enlisted in the U.S. Army.

After World War II, the Fitch family, which now included sons Scott and Ward (Buck), settled in Fenn, and began their farm life. Soon, sister Kate joined them to make their family complete.

Marge went back to teaching kindergarten in 1953 in Grangeville, then on to Craigmont and Cottonwood to teach English for 16 years. She was also a great cook for hay and harvest crews on their farm during the summers.

Marge loved Grangeville and was active in community organizations; she was president of the Grangeville General Hospital Auxiliary, president of the local P.E.O. and held a state office. She was active as a den mother for her boys and a Campfire leader for her daughter. In 1999, Marge and Woody were honored as grand marshals of the Grangeville Border Days, thanking them for their years of community support. Marge was an avid reader, and loved to play bridge.

Marge is survived by her children, Scott and Donna, Buck and Jeannie and Kate and David; seven grandchildren, Jed, Julie and Jason, Erin , Tyler and Nichey, Scott and Cesario, Allison and Nicolas and Meredith; as well as seven great-grandchildren, Kylie and Ty, Phineas, Alexa, Cari and MacRae, and Thomas; sister Virginia; as well as a team of loving caregivers, Anita, Gayle, Alice, Cindi, Kathy and Sarah.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Syringa General Hospital or a memorial of your choice. Condolences may be sent via [email protected].

Lewiston Tribune January 21, 2014