MOUNT VERNON – Marjorie J. Herald, 98, of Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully Aug. 9, 2023, surrounded by her loving family in her home of 68 years. She was born on Feb. 6, 1925, in Washington, Indiana, the daughter of Marie and Eugene Engle. She grew up with her three sisters, Bette, Lillian and Patty.
Eighteen-year-old Margie had not been out of her hometown before but traveled by herself on a train in 1943 to attend Immaculata Junior College in Washington D.C. She received her Associate’s Degree in accounting and began her career as a junior accountant at Levy, Calderon Co., C.P.A. in Indianapolis. She met Bob Herald, a student at the American Television School of Chicago, at a Catholic Youth Organization dance in Indianapolis. In 1949 they were married and three years later moved to Mount Vernon. Margie was hired as an accountant by Lawrence Lewis Public Accountants, working there for over 20 years. During that time and after, she also worked as the bookkeeper for The Video Shop, her husband’s business of 40 years. Margie was a faithful member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. She was a devout Catholic and prayed daily.
Margie was an exceptional mother and advocate for her four children and truly loved spending time with them. She always wanted to know how and what they were doing and enjoyed listening to stories from their day. Margie and Bobby worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for their kids and keep them safe and were able to send them all to college.
Margie worked full-time, took great care of the household finances, and was a master organizer of her family’s daily life. She cleaned up the house before leaving for work, had dinner on the table at 6:00 every day, paid for a babysitter, called Victory Market to place the weekly order, and had it delivered on Saturdays before any modern apps offered that option. She had a Christmas fund, a savings account, and a stash for emergencies and did it all on a shoestring. When driving around town getting her weekly hairdo or playing bingo, Margie only made right-hand turns in her Delta 88. After a busy day taking care of everything, she would save time for a snooze in her chair before getting dinner ready. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, her happy place was the dining room, set for dinner, with her whole family seated and ready to enjoy a homemade feast and some fabulous stories together.
Margie loved get-togethers in Indiana with the Herald and Engle families. After retirement, one of Margie’s greatest joys was to travel—especially trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe and many adventures out west with family. Margie had a quiet strength, great sense of style and loved to have fun. She especially enjoyed playing card games, watching the Cleveland Browns, bowling, golf, playing bridge with her girlfriends and bingo at St. Vincent’s, to name a few. In her younger years, she even played tennis. However, blackjack was her true favorite.
Though Margie became legally blind 20 years ago, for many years, she continued to travel, play cards, maintain the house to her standards, and be a welcoming and wonderful hostess to everyone. As her sight continued deteriorating, she never complained and maintained her delightful sense of humor. When guests stopped by, they often found her petting Phil’s dog, Louie, beside her chair and listening to audiobooks or game shows on television, particularly Family Feud and $100,000 Pyramid. Margie said that the things she missed most about losing her sight were driving, looking at pictures and seeing her family’s faces.
Margie always had a smile for both friends and strangers, displaying a gentle yet determined personality. She was a loving, happy and genuine person to the very end. Bobby and Margie were devoted partners, complementing and depending on each other for 73 years. When she passed, she was ready to be reunited with her Bobby.
Margie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Herald, and her sisters, Lillian (Adrian) Allison, Bette (Bill) McMullen and Patty Zapp. She is survived by her daughter, Jenny Grinstead (William-dec.) of Mount Vernon; son, Chris Herald (Marion) of Golden, Colorado; son, Phillip Herald (Dina) of Mount Vernon; daughter, Amy Giampaolo (Vince) of Richmond, Virginia; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Agnes Benken of Lebanon, Indiana; sister-in-law, Mary Herald of Indianapolis, Indiana; brother-in-law, Dale Zapp of Greenwood, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews.
The family is very grateful to Dr. Elder and Hospice of North Central Ohio for their end-of-life care and Home Helpers, especially caregiver Vicki. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Macular Degeneration Research Foundation, Hospice of North Central Ohio and St. Jude’s Hospital. A Mass and Memorial Service will be held at St. Vincent Catholic Church on Dec. 22, 2023. Margie’s friends and family are encouraged to visit the Snyder Funeral Home website for a photo display and to leave any comments and remembrances.
The Snyder Funeral Homes, Flowers Chapel is honored to serve the family of Marjorie J. Herald.
