Marjorie Nellis

Cobleskill- Marjorie Nellis went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at her home on Little York Road, Cobleskill, NY following a long struggle with Alzheimer's.
The daughter of the late Fannie and Howard Nellis, she was born on August 28, 1919 in LaFargeville, NY. Following graduation from LaFargeville High School, Marge attended the Practical Bible School in Binghamton, NY and the Lattauer Hospital School of Nursing in Gloversville, NY. She pursued undergraduate studies at Syracuse University earning a B.S. in Nursing Education and graduate studies at Columbia University Teacher's College earning a Master's degree in Nursing Education. Always eager to learn, Marge attended Duke University to secure credentials in Anesthesia qualifying her to be a Nurse Anesthetist. Time spent at the University of Colorado, Denver gave her opportunity to publish a book on surgical procedures in French.
Marge joined the U.S. Army Corp and served as a surgical nurse in the CBI Theater during World War II. She was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict. At her retirement from the military, she had earned the rank of Major.
Serving as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, Marge was commissioned as a Nurse Anesthetist and assigned to a mission hospital in Congo where she worked for eight years before being sent to Algeria for three additional years. Upon returning to the United States, she was employed at the Community Hospital of Cobleskill as a Nurse Anesthetist.
Survivors include her daughter, Helene Vaillancourt (Edward) of Tucson, AZ; her sister, Blanche Bradford of LaFargeville, NY; many nieces and nephews; and her longtime friend, Ellen Kelley of Cobleskill.
She was predeceased by her mother and father, sister, Margaret Stoughtenger, and brother, Marcus Nellis.
Marjorie was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. Most recently she was a member of the Cobleskill United Methodist Church.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at the Cobleskill United Methodist Church Chapel Street Cobleskill, with Rev. Laurel Phillips officiating and Marge's friend, Rev. Barbara Ibarra, assisting. Inurnment will be private at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cobleskill United Methodist Church Chapel St. Cobleskill, NY 12043 or the Stone Mills United Methodist Church Stone Mills, NY.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home 171 Elm St. Cobleskill and Palmer & Shaylor, Inc. Funeral Home 134 River St. Middleburgh