Marjean Poston's Obituary
Marjean Murfield Poston passed peacefully from this world on November 13, 2020, having gracefully lived to the great age of 90 years. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 31, 1930, to the union of Lake Alvin Murfield and Margaret Boone Murfield (Binnall), she spent her childhood living with her parents and beloved grandmother, Rose, on the family farm in Woodbine, Iowa. Marjean often shared stories about the delights and challenges of life as an only child on a farm. She sometimes said that her favorite chore was feeding the chickens, a task for which her mother would adorn her in elaborately hand sewn dresses, ribbons and hats. As a child, Marjean attended a country school near Woodbine, walking two miles each way. She vividly remembers the day her father brought a Victrola to the school and how the simple building, heated by a single small wood stove, reverberated as everyone sang along boisterously to a recording of the hymn titled â??Throw Out the Lifeline'. Mary Marjean graduated from Woodbine High School in Woodbine, Iowa, going on soon after to study music (voice) and education at Drake University in Des Moines. After graduation she accepted a teaching position in Davenport, Iowa, where she was living when she met her beloved husband, Dode. As Dode liked to recount, Marjean had been asked to sing at a wedding in Corydon, Iowa, and it happened that Dode was sent by the groom to pick her up at the Chariton train station. He was undoubtedly smitten; they were married in 1952. For a time afterward, the young couple lived in married student housing at Drake University while Dode completed his law studies. Upon Dode's graduation from law school, the pair moved to Corydon. Marjean began to teach at the Corydon Elementary School as Dode entered his family's law practice. In 1955, their first child, Jane Ann, was born to their union, followed by John Charles in 1957and James Lake in 1960. Daughter Allison Lee was born in 1973 and passed away that same year. Marjean was a social animal, busily thriving in a community that offered much to appreciate and share. Her kids sometimes jokingly called her TurboMom, for her inexhaustible and incomparable ability to juggle parenting, homemaking, teaching and, above all, her family's community. Many in her circle will say that no one was forgotten by her when a baby arrived or when another family suffered hardship. Marjean and Dode were members of Friday Club, Dinner Club, Study Club and the Wayne County Democrats. Marjean enjoyed her participation on the Wayne County Arts Council (WAYCO). Of course, she held her P.E.O. sisters in special regard. A lively and loving member of the United Methodist Church in Corydon, Marjean was active in the UMW Martha Circle as well as in the church choir, county ecumenical choir and the church's prayer chain. She earnestly supported Dode as lay minister of the Norwood Methodist Church. She was also well-informed in all matters politic, supporting her husband in his campaigns for County Attorney and participating articulately in Iowa primaries and political functions. Marjean's commitment to literacy and education was ferocious. It was reflected in both her thoughtful parenting and her profession. Every Christmas each of her children would find a book, tied up in a pretty ribbon, placed under the tree. After retiring from 34 years in elementary teaching, Marjean continued to serve by visiting classrooms, in Victorian costume, as children's book author â??Beatrix Potter' and she read to the students, sharing Potter's illustrations. She also supported the Karl Miles LeCompte Library, to which she donated the Beatrix Potter figurines displayed there. Marjean loved gardening and always kept a lovely cutting garden. She was in her element when celebrating holidays with her family and planning lavish meals and events, including formal English teas that were orchestrated "exquisitely in every detail", as a friend has recalled. The care of and styling of her home was clearly a labor of love for Marjean. She enjoyed collecting and decorating with antiques - and at times, even traded a few. A gifted musician and lyric soprano, Marjean loved to accompany herself while singing Christmas carols, classical music and show tunes. She was an avid fan of the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera from its very inception. As a founding member of WAYCO (Wayne County Arts Council) she helped steer Corydon through the restoration of its historic art deco Wayne Theater. Marjean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dode, and her infant daughter, Allison Lee. She is survived by children Jane Ann Buckley (John) of New York, John Charles of Corydon (former spouse, Louise Ludington), James Lake (Dora) of Boise, Idaho and grandchildren Travis Poston (Angie) of Brookfield, Missouri, Ashley Jean Strueby (Kris) of St. Joseph, Missouri and Devyn Buckley of Durham, North Carolina. Her great grandchildren include Ramzie Cooper (Olivia), Quincy Cooper, Lucky Cruz Poston, age 13, and Sayla Jane Strueby, age 11. A great great granddaughter, Emersyn Rae Cooper, was born August 18, 2020. Marjean's life was well-lived, long and rich in love. She will be deeply missed by many. A celebration of life is planned for the spring of 2021. Memorials may be sent to Christ Community United Methodist Parish in Corydon or to WAYCO, the Wayne County Arts Council. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Marjean Poston please visit our Sympathy Store.
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