Marjorie Argersinger

Marjorie “Marnie” Argersinger died October 17, 2014. She was born in Syracuse, NY in 1922. She & William J. Argersinger, Jr. were married in 1942 & moved to Lawrence, KS in 1946 where William joined the chemistry faculty at KU & Marnie completed her formal educations, receiving her BA in chemistry in 1950 & her MA in Spanish Literature in 1968. Both remained active in the University community for many years, with William holding several positions of leadership, including serving as vice chancellor of Research & Graduate Studies & dean of the Graduate School.
Marnie was involved in numerous community organizations. She & Billy joined the Lawrence League for the Practice of Democracy shortly after arriving in Lawrence, & were active in that group’s desegregation efforts. She served on the boards of KU Friends of the Library, the Watkins Community Museum & the Lawrence Housing Authority & was a co-founder of the Lawrence Community Nursery School. She was a trustee of Lawrence Memorial Hospital & served as president of the League of Women Voters. She was on the Lawrence City Commission from 1975-79 & became the second woman mayor of Lawrence in 1977. Many organizations & individuals not listed benefited from the generous use of her time, resources & abilities.
Survivors include her son Bill & his wife Kathleen of Lawrence; her son Peter & his wife Jo Ann of Carbondale, IL; her daughter Ann DeGeorge of Fairfield, PA; & a brother, Patrick Hayes of Lawton, OK. She was preceded in death by her husband, a son-in-law, Bill DeGeorge & 3 siblings.
At Marnie’s request, no formal services will be held. Private inurnment will take place at a later date in Pioneer Cemetery. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in her name are encouraged to do so to the organization of their choice.
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.