Obituary of Margie D Draper

Margie Dempsey Draper, 88, a beloved resident of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, NJ for 36 years, died June 23, 2012 at Morristown Medical Center. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and dedicated, comforting friend to a wide circle of persons in her church, garden club, and other organizations. She was born in Charleston, SC to the late John T. Dempsey and Christabel Jacques Dempsey on October 1, 1923 and raised in that charming city. In 1951, while with her professional sorority sisters attending a YWCA dance, she met her husband-to-be, Bill Draper. Two years later, following the Korean War, they met again at the same YWCA dance, married two months later and began 59+ years of happiness together in SC, NJ, FL, NJ, CA, Kwajalein Island, NC, and finally NJ again. An outreaching Christian, while in California she was instrumental in establishing St. Andrew Methodist Church in Santa Maria, CA. Living on Kwajalein Island (a Marshall Island Atoll), she was one of seven ladies (first white females) who ventured to a remote island off Majaro Island to a live-in school her church mission supported. All students were Marshallese from Pacific Islands extending more than a thousand miles. To attend they left their homes behind for periods of years. Margie loved gardening and was active in the Basking Ridge Garden Club for many years. Last year her yard was one selected by the Garden Club for public tour. She was a longtime weekly participant in the BJUMC Quilters Group. Margie is survived by her husband William C. Draper (Bill); her children W. Christopher Draper, Jr. and his wife Lois Fitton, John I. Draper and wife Deborah, David G. Draper; her adored grandson James Matthew Draper; her brother John W. Dempsey and wife Betty. Additionally, she leaves behind her much loved sister-in-law Mildred Atkinson and husband Frank G. Atkinson, 14 nieces and nephews and 13 grand nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 11am. Margie requested that no flowers be given, and instead donations may be sent in her name to the Abiding Memorial, Bishop Janes United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 383, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920-0383.