Obituary of Marguerite Vandegrift

Marguerite Mary Vandegrift (O'Hara), fondly known as Marge, was born at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC on February 25, 1962. She grew up in the Frankford section of Philadelphia and often said that, other than Ireland, she was most fond of her childhood neighborhood in Philadelphia. The bonds she created with family and friends from that neighborhood and the pride of her Irish heritage stayed with her throughout her life. Being academically gifted, Marge was accepted into the Nazareth Academy, a private Catholic preparatory high school for girls. She was smart and quick witted, traits that she made good use of as a true rebel. During her high school years her family moved to Mount Laurel, New Jersey and Marge graduated from Lenape High School in 1980. She married Brian Vandegrift in 1983 and they were blessed with two sons, Eric and Matt. Marge also had a special relationship with Brian's son, Brian Vandegrift Jr., and his lovely wife and children. Marge had a big heart that grew even bigger when her grandson Damian was born. He lit up her life and her love for him kept her going. Marge was a smart person who was always curious; because of her love of reading and her Irish pride she became knowledgeable in both the history and the contemporary issues of her ancestral land. After her trip to Ireland with her sons both Marge and the Irish countrymen she met were changed forever! She was a passionate fan of the Irish rock band, U2, and their lead singer, Bono. No matter where she lived, her home was a shrine to both Ireland and Bono. She has been described as a bit of a crazy Irish, Party Girl, after one of her favorite U2 songs. Her brain was a well-stocked warehouse of Irish and U2 facts and trivia; which made attending a U2 concert with her the ultimate experience. Marge never failed to make a splash when she entered a room and her zest for life was unstoppable. She had a mischievous laugh, a wicked wit, a dangerous sense of humor, and a broad smile. She loved the color purple and wore lots of silver jewelry that set off her twinkling Irish eyes. Marge always said that her body was a temple and she would decorate it as she pleased. Her tattoos represented all the things she loved: Ireland, U2, the color purple and her astrological sign, Pisces. Some may not be aware that Marge was knowledgeable in world history, cultural anthropology, religions of the world and music. But one of the best things about her was her ability to throw out facts and dates, and curse like a sailor all in the same breath. Marge was a crazy, fun and devoted friend who would give you the shirt off of her back. She was brutally honest with an electrifying personality; a dangerous combination that her friends found exhilarating and endearing all at the same time. Every single person in Marge's vast circle of friends is incredibly sad; and because her spirit was large, she has left an even larger hole in our hearts. Each of us will find consolation in our favorite memories of Marge, but we should also try to always remember how Marge made us feel, because in that feeling we will always be close to her! Marge's friends will have an opportunity to celebrate her life at a memorial luncheon. Details will be posted on this page in the coming days.