Harwood Home for Funerals and Cremation Services
828-669-2977
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Black Mountain NC 28711
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828-669-2977
392 Tabernacle Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711

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About An Amazing Life|Help

Marjorie Ellen
Haines (Nyenhuis)

February 1, 1945 – October 29, 2018

Marjorie Haines
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"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
— Harwood Home for Funerals & Cremation Services
"When Aunt Marge came back to Michigan it was always an exciting time for my parents and us kids. She was always so positive and was always..."
— Steve Schnyders
"Marjorie was a very kind and compassionate woman. a wonderful teacher and a good friend to many. I always enjoyed talking to her. Her stepson..."
— Miriam Devey
"We are so saddened to hear of Marjorie’s passing, Dick! Our thoughts & prayers are continuing with you, & will include your & Marjorie’s..."
— Don & Missy Betts Family
"Mrs. Haines, you were an inspiration to us all. Thank you for everything. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. "
— Lilia Kozicky

Obituary for Marjorie Ellen Haines (Nyenhuis)

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Marjorie Ellen Haines, 73, passed away at home on October 29, 2018, after an extended illness. The ninth of eleven children, she was born in Milaca, MN to the late Egbert Peter (“Pete”) and Rosa Nyenhuis.
A graduate of Unity Christian High School and Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, Marjorie earned a master’s degree at Western Michigan University, and pursued advanced graduate studies at Penn State University, Temple University, and Lehigh University. Marjorie spent most of her professional life as a teacher of English and speech. She was named Teacher of the Year at Kalamazoo Christian High School in only her second year of teaching, and was later nominated for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. In a career involving three public schools and two private academies, she also directed numerous plays, taught television production, coached women’s basketball, cross country and track and field, assisted with the marching band, coordinated yearbook productions, and directed a private school’s seven-day boarding program. Outside of school, Marjorie was a very successful distance runner, a voracious reader, and a published author.
Marjorie joyfully filled an interlude between teaching jobs by serving as a child care worker at the Methodist Home for Children in Philadelphia, where she loved each child as if it was her own. This was an assignment she cherished and talked about in her final weeks.
After her retirement from teaching, Marjorie partnered with her husband to distribute natural health care products, and later in managing a vacation rental business. They retired for good in 2012 and moved to Black Mountain, where they found what they sought: tolerance, peace and love.
Throughout her life, Marjorie was grounded by faith and believed in putting her faith into action. She served in many church leadership roles, filled in for vacationing pastors, sang in church choirs, and wrote meditations for church publications. In her six years in Black Mountain, she was active in the Black Mountain United Methodist Church.
Marjorie worked tirelessly for compassionate candidates for elective office, and while in Pennsylvania, was elected to two four-year terms on the School Board in the North Pocono School district.
Marjorie is survived by her husband, Richard (“Dick”) Haines; two stepsons, Mark Haines (Amy) of Averill Park, NY, and Bruce Haines (Holly) of Bethlehem, PA; a step grandson, Grant Haines of Bethlehem, PA; four sisters, Jeanne Kragt-Barchinger (Roland) of Milaca, MN, Betty Tymes of Grand Rapids, MI, Joanne Arnoys of Caledonia, MI, and Carolyn (“Lynn”) Setsma (Dave) of Grand Rapids, MI; sister-in-law, Grace Nyenhuis of Whitinsville, MA; three brothers, Jacob (“Jack”) Nyenhuis (“Lee”) of Holland, MI, Ronald (“Ron”) Nyenhuis (Carole) of Grand Haven, MI, and Kenneth (“Ken”) Nyenhuis (Bev) of Grosse Point Park, MI; and “special” niece, Laura Schnyders of Hudsonville, MI.
While Marjorie had no biological children, she leaves a legacy of thousands of today’s adults (and their children) who have been positively influenced by her knowledge, her values, and – especially – her caring.
A remembrance and celebration of Marjorie’s life will be held at Black Mountain United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 17 at 11:00am, to be followed by a luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries in Marjorie’s name.

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Service Information

When
Saturday, November 17th, 2018 11:00am
Location
Black Mountain United Methodist Church
Address
101 Church Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711
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