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Obituaries

Marjorie E. Hess | Teacher, 98

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Marjorie E. Hess, 98, of Lower Gwynedd, a kindergarten teacher in Philadelphia public schools for 36 years, died Feb. 1 of pneumonia at Abington Memorial Hospital.

Miss Hess grew up in West Philadelphia and graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls. She tutored students, worked in a library, and was a substitute teacher before being hired to teach kindergarten in the Philadelphia School District in 1935. While teaching, she earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education from Temple University. She played the piano for her students, her niece Susan Givelber said, and instilled in them a love of music.

After retiring in 1971, Miss Hess was a volunteer at St. Christopher Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. She taught Sunday school for many years at Calvary Episcopal Church in Germantown.

Her poems were published in education and church magazines and she also self-published two collections of poems and essays. Miss Hess was a life member of the Germantown Historical Society and a 75-year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was the descendant of a Maryland soldier who fought in the Revolution.

Miss Hess is survived by two nieces and two nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. April 4 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 919 Tennis Ave., Maple Glen, Pa. 19002.