Marjory Hermes

Marjory Ruth Hermes passed out of this world peacefully, in the early hours Monday November 7th after a long graceful journey through lung cancer.

She was born June 28th 1931 in Caldwell Kansas and was the only child of Truman and Ruth Brown.

Her life was an adventure that included growing up between her parents and grandparents in Kansas and Colorado where she ran the mountains and the woods, rode horses and developed her life long passion for animals of all kinds.  She lived as a single mother in Germany and Belgium and returned to Kansas upon the death of her father.  She was introduced to the love of her life, Dr. Richard L. Hermes, vicariously by her father, as she sought someone to fly her father’s ashes over the Kansas River; Dr. Hermes was a pilot who was delighted to oblige.  They married 6 months later and over time blended their children into a big loving, messy family with 6 children, always a cat, a farm with critters and cows, where Marjory could ride her beloved horses and Richard could pretend to be a farmer and herd cows on his motorcycle. Marjory and Richard traveled the world together and continued a life of adventure exploring the wilds of Africa, Greece, South America, China, and countless other destinations.  They fished, danced, sailed, laughed, and cavorted joyfully through this world and enjoyed more than 40 years of a blessed life together. Richard preceded her in death. Marjory had amazing talent and enjoyed success in whatever interests she pursued.  She had a creative soul and was a consummate seamstress, knitter, and needle artist.  She painted on canvas and silk and there are many in Lawrence that enjoyed the fruits of her labor, as she was always generous with her creations.  She shared her amazing talents through teaching others as a certified creative machine embroidery instructor. She entered back into the workforce at Herb’s studio after all the children were out of the house creating their lives, as a touch up artist and restorer.  From there she became a partner/agent of Hayes Richardson and Santee Insurance Agency.  This led her into being active in ABWA and serving as President.  In 1984 Marjory received The Woman of the Year Award; an official designation, but always clear to whomever she touched through out her life. She was a volunteer at Haskell and served as host for the American Indian Hall of Fame. She participated in the Therapeutic Horse Riding Instruction to lead handicapped students to increase their mobility and self confidence.  She spent the last 4 years of her life in Texas near family and missed Lawrence everyday, but she was content, safe and happy surrounded by people who loved her and immediately recognized her special magic.  She smiled, she called bingo, she played bridge, she danced, and she hummed, a sure sign of her contentment. Marjory was so much more than a list of her accomplishments.  Who she was, permeated what she did.  Every smile, every kind word, every touch, what she baked, sewed and talked about all a reflection of a classy, elegant, humble, strong, gentle woman.  Her life was an incredible rich tapestry born of much light and shadow. Her earthly body is gone, but her spirit has moved Home to our Father. God Bless You Marjory and thank you for being so gloriously you.

She is survived by her children Penelope Amyx, Peter Hermes, Deborah Cotton, Patricia Freeman, Pamela Terrones and Kristin Hermes, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., December 3, 2011 at Warren McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

In lieu of lowers donations may be made to SPCA or Hospice.