It is with the heaviest of hearts that we bid a final farewell to Marjorie Ruth Heiler Stearns, who departed this life after a long goodbye on October 18, 2023 at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement community in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Marjorie, known to family and friends as “Marge", was married for 65 years to her high school sweetheart, the late Robert “Bob” Stearns. She is survived by three children Eric Stearns (Martha), Tracy Ross (Greg) and Liese Ross (Tom). Marge is also survived by a number of grandchildren, including her son Eric’s three children Gordon, Robert and Elizabeth Stearns; her daughter Tracy’s three children Alden, Emily and CR Ross; and Liese and Tom’s daughter, Heather Wedding; and great-grandchildren including new baby Liana Stearns, Kelci Ross and Lexie and Rider Wedding. 

Marge was born in Springville, New York on September 11, 1937 to the late Elsie and Delbert Heiler. She was an avid student, earning plenty of academic honors and going on to study at Geneseo. Her marriage to Bob took her as a young mother to Kansas City, then to Vienna, Virginia where she began working in administration for the U.S. Geological Survey, and later, to Columbia, SC where she began a lengthy career in facilities management at the Internal Revenue Service. In her well-earned retirement from the IRS, Marge enjoyed her garden, decorating for the season, and keeping the Stearns family supplied with detailed travel itineraries. Trips took Marge and Bob to Hilton Head for Thanksgiving, to exotic places like Curacao, on a railway excursion across Canada, to West Virginia, Maine and Quebec to see family and friends, and all over to enjoy Bob's favorite gatherings of Stearns siblings and airplane and car buffs. 

Marge's life mission was keeping Bob and the entire Stearns household shipshape. Books were a great love that she carried with her almost to the end, always surrounded by books. Libraries were some of her favorite places, including the lovely library at Still Hopes, and she never missed Wimbledon Tennis. But food was a particular forte, inspired by Bob's epicurean nature and the wealth of restaurants in the DC area, and Marge reigned for many years as the premier Chef de Cuisine at Chez Stearns. She and Bob hosted numerous family dinners, holiday feasts and entertained friends with "meals that couldn't be beat." 

If there was a recipe, Marge would follow it to a T, whether it was for a special occasion item like Baked Alaska on Bob's birthday, weekend desserts, or family favorites from Swedish Meatballs to Coq au Vin. She will always be remembered for Thanksgiving pies and Ethel's Sugar Cookies at Christmas, but her own favorite meals were always the ones that someone else prepared - like the weekend steak that Bob would grill and accompany with a Caesar salad, lobsters steamed by Bob, or any dinner out - especially at places like Le Steak in DC, Nikolai's Roof in Atlanta, and the outdoor deck at Sea Pines and the Old Fort Pub on Hilton Head Island. 

The family wishes to thank Heart of Hospice and Still Hopes' staff for their help, dedicated care and support during Marjorie’s latter years. Marjorie’s bright vibrant light will be forever missed but her spirit will continue to live on through her son and daughters, their families and the other lives she touched. Marjorie's memory will forever remain etched in our hearts. May her soul rest in peace.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/marjorie-stearns/obituary/

Copy