Obituary of Beatrice L. Marshall

Beatrice Laurella Marshall (nee Miller), at the age of 104, passed away peacefully in her own home, cared for by her daughters. She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 65 years, G. Richwood Marshall. Born in Philadelphia on January 20, 1916, she was the daughter of Frances Earl Miller (nee Snyder) and The Reverend Cedric Verdi Miller. She and her mother lived in Philadelphia with her paternal grandparents and two loving aunts, Aida and Tessa Miller, while her father attended Maryville College and Princeton Theological Seminary. Here she was encircled by calm, sweet, loving, and creative adults in a fairytale existence, which provided the foundation of her values, character, and personality. While living on Allison Street, she also met Helen, who became her best friend for life. As her father pursued his ministry in the Presbyterian Church, she lived in Swedesboro, Blackwood, and Woodbury. She attended Woodbury High School, graduating as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1933. Her ambitions in life were to be a good wife, mother, homemaker, and neighbor and to live her life as Jesus would have her live it. She excelled in all of these roles. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Glassboro, where she had taught Sunday School and hosted the youth group at the beach. She enjoyed music from the 30's and hymns, playing them in a jazzy style on the piano; writing poetry; having dinner guests; and sitting on the floor playing games or having tea parties with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and neighborhood children. She will be remembered for her sweet, kind, and loving nature, her mischievous smile, her natural graciousness, and her unending enjoyment of children. She shared her vibrant energy and brought creative, fanciful, and positive experiences into the lives of those who knew her. In her latter years, she found much pleasure in video-chatting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her treasured daughters and son-in-law, Virginia B. Marshall (Rein Mutso) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Joanne Marshall-Forgie of Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada; her dear daughter-in-law, Carol Marshall of Fortescue, New Jersey; and her beloved grandchildren, Paul Marshall, Linda Marshall (granddaughter-in-law), Suzanne Benson (Brian), J. Peter Marshall, Shanta Marshall-Forgie, Jolene Marshall, Kristalise Marshall-Ryan, Amelia Mutso (Mark Maienschein-Cline), and Natalia Marshall-Ryan (Matthew Briggs). She is also survived by her precious great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Christopher, Alexi, Zacharey, Nicholas, Corbin, Zoe, Brody, Ava, Ayla, Harrison, and Clara; by loving nieces and nephews; and by caring friends and neighbors whom she loved like family. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her cherished sons and grandson, The Reverend Robert R. Marshall Sr., Bruce Walter Marshall; and Robert R. Marshall Jr.; and by her much loved "sister and brother," Harriet and Marshall Brown. There will be a private graveside service at Berlin Cemetery, Berlin, New Jersey, for Beatrice. A celebration of her life/memorial service will be held at a later, post-covid date, for her family, neighbors, and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Glassboro, 60 State Street, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028; National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI New Jersey, 1562 Route US130, North Brunswick, New Jersey 08902-3090; or Save the Children, PO Box 97132, Washington DC 20090-7132.