Marjorie Watt Pressly Litzelman, 101, died peacefully at home Nov. 12, her passing guided by the light of the full moon. She was born Oct. 29, 1918, in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina to Dr. John Mason and Laura Rebecca (Watt) Pressly. She was a graduate of the Belmont Academy and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Class of 1941. That is where she met the true love of her life, Karl B. Litzelman, a “yankee” from New Jersey who predeceased her in 2016. These devoted “Tar Heels” were married for 74 years.
Marjorie was a high school teacher during World War II in Belmont, North Carolina, returning to teaching language arts at Thompson Middle School in Middletown for 20 years after her three girls were in school. At her retirement in 1981, Marjorie was remembered by her peers and students as a teacher who was tender yet firm, who made wisdom and excellence things to work for, who never accepted the status quo, was never without lipstick, and rolled her southern cadences over literature in her high heels.
After retiring Marjorie spent 25 years as a student at Brookdale Community College, studying all aspects of pottery and painting. She was also a lifelong seamstress and a darn good cook and gardener, specializing in African violets. She and Karl enjoyed many good travel adventures across the country to visit family and friends, as well as internationally, where her fluency in Spanish was tested. Faith was a shared passion of Marjorie and Karl, on a daily basis. They were very active in the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury, where they had many longtime good friends.
Marjorie is survived by her three daughters, Mary P. Litzelman Mortier and husband Alain of Belfast, Maine, Janne L. Nemyo of Gold Canyon, Arizona and Linda L. Curry and husband Mike of Manasquan; sister-in-law Ann L. Saacke and husband Richard of Blacksburg, Virginia; special friends Joyce Kaufman, Pat and Ed Mitchell, Mimi Biernbaum and Camille Andia; many special neighbors; one very special caregiver Mimi; and always helpful Bert Reynolds.
The family requests no flowers please. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury, 352 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury, NJ 07702. There will be a graveside service at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 (cemetery located behind the church).
Condolences may be left at mpl1918@icloud.com. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
