Marjorie Root

A woman with unbridled strength, charisma and an unshakable faith. A girl who loved a party and would light up the room as she entered. One who could as easily get the giggles as one who could quickly demonstrate her strong opinion on things for which she felt firmly. She was truly her father's daughter. The wife of an entrepreneur and the mother of four boys. The grandmother to eleven. A person who truly cherished every relationship, lifelong friendships and a distinct bond with the special caretakers these last several years who made her smile, sing and feel so special right up to her very last hour. Mom passed as she lived life, on her terms surrounded by love, beauty of scenery and prayer. 

Marjorie D. Root, age 80, of Erie, and formerly of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully, on Thursday, June 7, 2018, following an extended struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born in Erie, on October 29, 1937, the daughter of Kenneth and Thora Delavern. 

She graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pa. She also studied at Westminster College and The Katherine Gibbs School. She then went on to serve as the personal secretary, in the nation's Capital, to Senator Estes Kefauver who twice sought his party's nomination for President of the United States. At age 21, she married her childhood sweetheart, David B. Root, and then relocated to Lexington, Virginia as dad finished out his senior year at Washington & Lee University. 

For the next thirty years, mom dedicated her life to the raising of four boys, supporting her husband's entrepreneurial pursuits and becoming a top realtor professional. She also offered much of her time and talent serving the Erie Community on committees and boards such as the Erie Junior League and the Erie Women's Garden Club. She spent countless hours with her boys at hockey rinks, tennis tournaments, ski slopes, soccer games and even served as the neighborhood Boy Scout's Den Mother; that is until she made the determination that her son, Bradley, was no longer an abiding member. She was tough and principled. 

Mom loved her family and cherished her friends. She was social, often the last one with dad to leave a good party. She loved the Church. Until her last days, she could recite verse and hymn of most traditional Christian songs. She was a member of Christ Church Fox Chapel, where she served as a member of the Daughters of the King and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. These volunteer activities were truly her last undeniable joy as a good and faithful servant.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, David; and a sister Jeannie.

She is survived by her four sons, David B. Root Jr. and his wife Kathy of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., Scott A. Root and his wife Cocoa Carter of Sydney, Australia, Brad B. Root and his wife Holly of Fox Chapel, Pa., and Eric D. Root and his wife Gail of Fairview, Pa.; a sister, Marilyn of Okemos, Mich.; 11 grandchildren, Jesse, Alec, Sierra, Myles, Madison, Tucker, Bradley, Devon, Bowman, Charlie and Tyler; and several nieces and nephews. 

No doubt a very special woman, but one who treated everyone as an equal, always acknowledging those who were in service to others. This is who she was. She continuously expressed joy in life and never seized to offer grace and thanksgiving towards others.

A "Celebration of Life" service to honor both mom and dad will be held at the Christ Church Fox Chapel, 630 Squaw Run Road East, Pittsburgh, PA 15215, on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th St., Erie. Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com. 

Memorials may be made to Christ Church Fox Chapel, 630 Squaw Run Road East, Pittsburgh, PA 15215.