Marjorie Bertha Merzke

Jerry, Floyd, Helen, & Marge

Marjorie Bertha Merzke, the fifteenth child and last daughter was born at home at 181 Weaver Street on August 26, 1912.  She was baptized that same day. Her sponsors were Bertha Missel, Louisa Parr and Fred Birr. She was confirmed April 27, 1927.  Shortly after her father’s death, Marge married Jerome August Magin  on April 25, 1934  in Concordia Lutheran Church. They were attended by her twin brother, Floyd C. Merzke and Jerry’s sister, Helen Magin.

Marge and Jerry’s first home was the second floor of Maria and Henry’s home at 181 Weaver Street. They moved into their first house around 1942. It was at 102 Belmeade Road in Irondequoit, Monroe, New York.  Around 1950 Marge and Jerry moved their young family to a large home in Walworth, Wayne, New York. They lived in this house for many years and hosted many family gatherings including wonderful Merzke Family Christmas Parties complete with a visit from Santa Claus.  Later in life they had a home built in Marion, Wayne, New York.

Bob, Carol, Marge & Jerry

Marge worked for a while before she was married in the tailoring industry. Jerry worked for Eastman Kodak Company as an optical worker.  He was later employed by Westinghouse.  He also had his own sharpening business where he sharpened knives, lawnmower blades and other such equipment. Marge and Jerry utilized a portion of their home as a clean and cherry independent living facility for mentally challenged adults.

Marge and Jerry had three children; Carol Ann Magin was born September 22, 1941, Robert A. Magin, and Douglas Richard Magin (both still living).  Marge, the last survivor of Henry and Maria’s sixteen children, died October 20, 1994.  Jerry shortly followed her in death on December 30, 1994.  They are buried in Marian Cemetery, Marian, Wayne  County, New York.

Marjorie & Floyd - Twins

Floyd & Marge about age 6

Marge & Floyd about age 3

Marjorie and Floyd were Maria and Henry Merzke’s second set of twins and their last babies.  Marjorie was born first.  Floyd always said that he let her go first because he was a gentleman and believed in the saying, ladies first.  Floyd was the smaller and weaker of the two.  He was so weak when he was born that they were not sure he would live.  Maria and Henry had the minister in to baptize the babies on the day they were born - just in case.

Confirmation Picture

Easter 1944

Marjorie and Floyd were always good friends.  He said that sometimes she would get after him, but no one else better try it.  She always watched out for him and protected him.  They went to #22 School together where Floyd was in a special class that was called a Fresh Air Class.  He had to work hard to gain weight and would receive a certificate every time he gained five pounds.  His class took naps on cots on the roof of the school so they could take advantage of the fresh air.  After grade school, they went to East High School. They quit early to go to work in the tailoring industry, not unlike their brothers and sisters had done. 

Each was in the others wedding party when they married.  They visited each other frequently and exchanged birthday and Christmas gifts each year.  They shared a deep love of God and family and took pride in their Merzke heritage.  The last Merzke Family Reunion was held in August 1987.  It was marked by the celebration of Marge and Floyd’s 75^th birthday.  

Marge & Floyd at age 75

Maria Bertha Smarcz Merzke

Maria Bertha Smarcz was born December 22, 1869 in Stolp in the Pommern section of Prussia.  She was the second child of Julius Smarcz and Caroline Rach. As a young woman she worked in the brickyard and this is likely where she met Henry the stonemason. Maria probably came to the United States in 1888. She traveled alone by ship in steerage passage at a cost of $25. She came to Rochester New York where she joined Henry.  Maria was 18 years old. Maria and Henry eventually had sixteen children including two sets of twins.

Maria learned to read and write in English. She especially enjoyed reading westerns and mystery novels. She was an excellent homemaker and cook. She taught all of her children to be good cooks. Each day was devoted to a specific task.  Monday was washday, Tuesday for ironing, etc. On Saturday Maria baked bread.  Saturday night’s supper would be scrambled eggs with ham and warm homemade bread with butter. She ruled the house with an iron fist but always kept it covered with a velvet glove. If Henry came home two nights in a row having had too much to drink, she never had words with him. She just cut back on his spending money.

After Henry’s death, Maria continued to live in the Weaver St. home with her youngest son Floyd.  She had no retirement income to speak of and for this reason she preferred gifts of money for her birthday and Christmas.  It was this money she would use to give gifts to her many grandchildren.

Maria died on November 9, 1946 of Carcinoma of the Peritoneum & Acitoo (liver cancer) at the home of her daughter Marge Magin at 102 Balmeade Drive in Irondequoit New York. At the time of her death there was a newspaper strike. News broadcaster Al Siegel read the death notices on the radio. There were so many flowers at the funeral that they were three rows deep all the way around the room. Maria is buried with Henry in Mount Hope Cemetery.