First Shriver Award winner Malaysia RPCV Marjorie May dies at 95
Marjorie Deacon May
Marjorie Deacon May, 95, formerly of Pen Argyl, died Saturday, Sept. 3, in Westminster Village, Allentown, Pennsylvania. Born Sept. 2, 1909, in Pen Argyl, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Deacon and Justin Elizabeth (Bonney) May.
She was a teacher for Pen Argyl School District before retiring and previously taught in Folcroft, Media, Cynwyd, Lower Marion, Bangor and two years in American Army schools in Germany.
A graduate of Pen Argyl High School, she studied at East Stroudsburg University, West Chester University and Penn State University, and received a bachelors degree in English and a masters degree in education from Temple University. S
he wrote numerous articles for publication in various journals and newspapers on her travels and educational themes.
She was very community-minded and authored historical booklets about Pen Argyl borough, Pen Argyl Methodist churches and Weona Park, Pen Argyl. She founded FISH at the Methodist Church in 1970, which grew into FISH of the Slate Belt, which rendered services, 1970-80. She served Meals on Wheels, 1975-90, and served in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, 1974-75.
She raised funds to build Peace Corps Partnership schools in Africa, which now total 153 schools in her name. She received the Exchange Club Golden Deeds Award in 1973, the Sertoma Club Service to Humanity Award in 1974 and the East Stroudsburg University Presidents Award in 1984.
She was a Northampton County Council Award honoree in 1986, was a guest in the White House Rose Garden with former President George Bush in 1990 and was listed in the Whos Who in American Education.
In 1991, she received the Sargent Shriver Award in Washington, D.C., for her service to the Peace Corps.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Pen Argyl, where she was a former member of the administration board and the United Methodist Women of the Church.
She was a member of the Rachel Jackson Democratic Womens Club, a founder of the American Field Service in 1962, served on the board and as secretary of the Episcopal Apartments of the Slate belt, and served two years on the board of the auxiliary of the Slate Belt Rehabilitation Center, Bangor.
She served as host to Ruth Kagiri of Kenya, 1961-62, through American Field Service.
She adopted two young female Korean orphans, Oh Mi-Ok and Jung Kyung-Hwa.
Survivors: Niece; great-nieces, great-nephew. She was predeceased by three infant brothers and a sister, Kathleen May Peterson. Services: memorial, 11 a.m. Saturday, Grace United Methodist Church, 404 E. Mountain Ave., Pen Argyl. No calling hours. Arrangements, James B. Gaffney Funeral Home, 200 S. Robinson Ave., Pen Argyl. Contributions: Peace Corps Partnership Program, 1990 K St. N.W., Washington, DC 20526 or Grace United Methodist Church 18072.
Published in the Morning Call on 9/6/2004.
