Marjorie Shonio Arkley, 80, of Moretown and most recently of Shelburne, passed away at Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday, January 4, 2015, following several years of declining health. Born in Burlington on January 13, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Janus Crossett Shonio and Lillian R. (Densmore) Shonio. On August 18, 1956, she married Robert J. Arkley in West Hartford, CT. Robert predeceased Marjorie on September 20, 2012.
Marjorie attended a one-room school on Crossett Hill in Duxbury before moving to West Hartford, CT, to complete her high school education, graduating from William H. Hall High School in West Hartford. As a young woman Marjorie worked several years as a telephone operator for Southern New England Telephone Co. Following her marriage, Marjorie was happy and busy raising her family and supporting, in every way possible, her husband's military career.
Returning to Waterbury in 1975, Bob continued in his family's business, Waterbury Enterprises, and Marjorie played an integral role. As the business grew, Marjorie was active in property management in Waitsfield and was instrumental in the development of Vermont Realty Exchange, a commercial and residential real estate brokerage and development company. Throughout his career, Bob credited Marjorie for his success in both the military and in business, subscribing to the old adage that behind every successful man is a bright and strong woman. Their marriage was truly a partnership on many levels.
Throughout the years Marjorie volunteered her skills and interest as a Girl Scout leader as well as volunteered on numerous civil, school and military committees. Her family lovingly remembers her for her delicious creations as a gourmet cook, the joy she found in hosting many social and family gatherings, her love of traveling and playing bridge and her much sought-after talents as an interior decorator. Her memberships included Waterbury Congregational Church.
Marjorie is loved and mourned by her children, Stephen R. Arkley and his wife Debra of East Hampstead, NH, and Deanna A. Johnson and her husband Walt of Poquoson, VA; her five grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Christopher, Ashley and Bethany; her three great-grandchildren, Malakai, Joseph and Patrick; her sister, Marilyn Ferguson of North East, MD; a special niece, Karen Peplowski of Duxbury; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by two brothers, James and Donald Shonio.
Memorial services will be held from Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at 1 p.m. Later inurnment will take place in the Vermont Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Randolph. For those who wish, memorial gifts in lieu of flowers would be appreciated to the Wounded Warrior Project. (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook.
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