Margaret Ethel Friend

Stock prices for the Hershey Company dropped significantly Friday, January 19th, 2018, corresponding with the peaceful passing of a most loyal consumer, Margaret E. Hargreaves Friend. Margaret, or “Marge”, who always claimed that “chocolate actually runs through my veins”, died at the age of 93 ¾. Marge was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 26th, 1924 to James and Martha (Ayrey) Hargreaves. She and her late sister, Elizabeth (Betty), grew up in the borough of Kensington and were raised by her mother, as their father died when Marge was two years old. Marge described her childhood as “very nice”, though money was scarce for a single mom with two children. Once a year they would take a trip to Atlantic City to walk the piers, and see the circus, the diving horse and the “live” gold statutes. There were also afternoons at the soda fountain, picnics and swimming in Brandywine Creek and playing games with the neighborhood kids. In sixth grade, Marge met Ella Mae and her brother Edward (Eddie) Friend. The three became constant companions, bike riding, picnics at the lake, practicing archery and weight lifting (Marge was given the nickname “Little One”). Ella Mae and Marge attended sewing school together and made some “neat” outfits to wear. Marge graduated from Frankford High School in 1942 and began working as a switchboard operator at Masland Duraleather Company. While at Masland’s World War II started and many of Marge’s friends and coworkers were drafted into the service. Marge joined the war effort too by becoming an air raid warden, aircraft spotter, visiting hospitals for wounded soldiers and soliciting for blood donations. Marge also wrote to many soldiers to keep their spirits up, including her old friend Eddie from the neighborhood. Eddie arrived home from WWII after completing 50 missions as a bombardier in the Air Force and he and Marge began dating. They were married on June 29th, 1946. Marge and Eddie went on to spend 43 joyous years together. A large part of that life included boating on the Delaware river and later on weekends and vacations at a summer cottage in Forked River NJ. Marge loved boating and “drifting and dreaming” on the bay despite never learning how to swim! Marge and Eddie were blessed with three little girls, Jo Anne, Janice Ann, and Jayne Alison who never caused any trouble and were perfect angels…except when they were awake! Jo, Jan and Jayne loved spending weekends at the shore with their mom and dad. Marge was an extremely dedicated and loving mother, she considered all her children and grandchildren “gorgeous creatures”. Marge and Eddie’s love story is one for the ages. Marge believed Eddie to be her soulmate and after he passed in 1989, Marge never remarried. Marge loved writing poetry in her spare time and this is what she said about her life with Eddie after he passed: I’ve come a long way since that fateful day When I lost the best part of my life It was a few years ago and I want you to know I was proud to be just “his wife”. It was sad near the end the hours I’d spend Just holding his hands in mine Deep in my heart I know I was part Of giving him a little more time. We talked of our lives, the children and such Great time we recalled that meant so much When he left me – he knew for sure No one could ever have loved him more. Marge and Eddie moved from Pennsylvania to the tropical paradise of Kissimmee, Florida in 1977 after purchasing Orange Grove Campground. After selling the campground, they remained in Kissimmee and enjoyed retirement. They took trips and went to one of Marge’s most beloved places, Walt Disney World. After Eddie’s passing, Marge, being the ever “go-getter”, took a job at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel at the Walt Disney World Village at the age of 65. She switched to a part time position with Disney World at 71 and worked in their seniors’ program until she was 80. She loved the magic of Disney and never tired of accompanying family and friends to the parks. Her love of Disney continued and in her 93rd year (and in many of the ones prior to) she led a merry group of revelers (consisting mostly of her family) drinking around the world at Epcot’s International Showcase. Marge lived each day as an opportunity to get up and go. She never declined an invitation to go anywhere, she never passed on an offer to dance and she never stopped singing. She had a song for every occasion and lived life to a tune. She would go anywhere, anytime with just about anyone. Trips to Alaska and Hawaii in her 70’s and 80’s, swimming with the dolphins in her 90’s, she was an inspiration to never stop going despite age or physical limitation. Marge is survived by her family, daughters Jo Anne Borkert, Janice Wilson (Greg) and Jayne King (Bill); granddaughters Neysa Borkert Wafler (Lance), Jamie Wilson, Jenna Borkert (Joe Rasnick), Brandy Foote, Marja Borkert Roth (Jason), and grandsons Jeremy and Philip King (Dina). Great grandchildren Kobie, Ryah and Treyson Blair, Nathan Wilson, Gabe and Gabby Brathwaite, Brandon, Raigan and Reese Rasnick, Gavin Drake, Rayland King, and Ronan Roth. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hope Hospice. Online; donate.hopeHCS.org or send to Development Dept Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Margaret Ethel Friend

May 26, 1924 - January 19, 2018