Marjorie Priest

MARJORIE PRIEST, age 95, of Hudson, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Born to Wyatt and Jessie Cox MacGaffey in Rockford, Illinois on March 13, 1930. She was married for 63 years to the late Fred Priest, who died in 2015. Marjorie is survived by her three children, Laurie, Kevin, and Scott Priest and their spouses, Anne Harrison, Suzanne Priest, and Natalie Priest. She leaves behind eight grandchildren: Justin, Sean, Kyle, Taylor and Bradley Priest, Tiffany Janki, Sam Kendall, and Nick Priest; as well as thirteen great-grandchildren. She had a sister Jessica Oresteen and half-brother, Robert MacGaffey, both deceased.

Marjorie grew up in Rockford, Illinois and joined the Navy in 1950. While stationed in Norfolk, VA she met Fred, and in 1952 they were married and eventually settled near family in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Marjorie maintained a household, raised three children, sang in the church choir and worked part time as the secretary at the Brecksville United Methodist Church. For many years, she wrote a monthly recipe column for the local Brecksville Gazette and later opened and managed her own quilting store.

Marjorie first discovered her love of sewing when she was in junior high. Over the years she taught herself to sew and initially made clothes for herself and her children. Her first sewing machine was bought on "lay-away" and she put $5 down and paid $5 per month until the $75 machine was paid off. Eventually she was introduced to quilting, took a few lessons, and found she truly loved quilting. In 1984, she opened her own quilt store, Thread 'n Thimble in the center of Brecksville. She taught numerous quilting and applique classes and three years later outgrew the shop, moving the store to Routes 21 and 82 in Brecksville. The shop was a welcome place where women could stop by to ask questions, get help, or visit and quilt. A large quilt frame sat in the center of the shop and women could stop in at any time to do quilting. When the first quilt was finished, it was raffled off and a donation was sent to St. Jude's. Over the years she personally made over 40 quilts, ensuring that all her children and grandchildren received one of her quilts.

Marjorie was a member of the Stan Hywet Needlework organization for over 20 years and is a founding member of the Western Reserve Quilt Guild, which is still active today. In November-December 2021, the Western Reserve Quilters organized a quilt show at Laurel Lake Retirement Community honoring Marjorie with a display of many of her beautiful quilts.

In lieu of donations, the family suggests supporting your local florist, sending a bouquet to somebody you love. Friends may call at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 W. AURORA RD. (RT. 82), SAGAMORE HILLS, FOR VISITATION, MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025, FROM 9:00–11:00 AM. Funeral Services immediately following at 11:00 am. Interment Brecksville Highland Cemetery.

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