Marjorie M. Marks

September 16, 1917 – May 9, 2024

Marjorie M. Marks died at the age of 106 on May 9, 2024. Marjorie was the daughter of J.O.N. and Nellie Vincent Poling. She was a proud Great Granddaughter of Captain Newton Poling, who fought for the North in the Civil War, and who was present at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered. She was born in Kansas, and moved to the Rogue Valley with her parents and two sisters in 1920, where the family bought a pear orchard on North Phoenix Road. She graduated from Phoenix High School and Southern Oregon Normal School, which is now Southern Oregon University. She was a Valedictorian of both classes. Marjorie married Lucian Van Gordon in 1936 and they had four children. They later divorced, and Marjorie married Winston K. Marks who predeceased her. Marjorie spent a year teaching before starting her family. During the children's youth, she spent many hours volunteering for local groups and school activities and was a regional director for the Oregon State Home Extension Council. She also helped grade papers for teachers in the Medford School District. Marjorie eventually went to work as a copywriter for KBOY radio station and went on to write copy for several local stations and national advertising agencies. She later became a writer and producer at KTVL, from which she retired at age 65. She spent her later years in Walnut Creek, California, and Tualatin, Oregon living with her daughter Judy, and finally moved back to Medford at age 100. She was an avid reader, and there is a shelf at the Jackson County Library with her name on it! She lived independently until recently and was healthy and as sharp as ever until her last few months. She lived a long and happy life, but will be dearly missed by her family. She is survived by her daughters Judith Adler, Leslie Hall (Randy), Linda McKinney (Tom), daughter-in–law Lori Van Gordon, as well as seven grandchildren, fifteen Great grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her two beloved sisters, Mildred and Gweneth, two sons, Jon Robin and Gary Lucian Van Gordon, and her grandson Matthew Van Gordon. Arrangements by Perl Funeral Home. The interment will be private.