Marjorie McManus Hager

Marjorie McManus Hager, 84, died on May 4, 2015. She was born November 17, 1930, in Cairo, Ill., to Aimee White Held (Dolly) and William Allen McManus. Her stepfather was Paul John Held.

During her lifetime Marjorie Hager was devoted to her family and to the arts.

While living in Chicago as a child, Marjorie participated in children's theater. That experience made a strong impression on her, leading to a lifetime as a patron and advocate for the arts. She attended Colorado Women's College and graduated from Northwestern University in 1951 with a B.S. in Speech. Her first job in the early days of television was at WTTV Bloomington, Indiana.

She married John Stewart Hager on April 4, 1953. When announcing her engagement to John Hager, then a lawyer and later the third-generation editor and publisher of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, she was described as "a versatile actress, radio artist and television star."

Though she had a promising entertainment career, she never regretted shifting her focus to family. Despite her love of acting and work in TV she wrote, "my best production, with help of a loving husband, will always be our four children."

However, she kept her interest in the arts alive throughout her life. She was involved in Theatre Workshop of Owensboro (TWO) for many years in plays such as "Antigone" and "Dracula." She also served on the TWO Board of Directors and the RiverPark board. She periodically taught speech at Kentucky Wesleyan College.

She was a well-known storyteller. She told her favorite Christmas stories such as "Why the Chimes Rang" and "The Gift of the Magi" to Sunday school classes and organizations throughout the holiday season. These performances included audiences at the RiverPark Center and WOMI. She believed storytelling was an important part of a community's culture. She was also the first female disc jockey at WOMI.

In addition to her lifelong financial support of the arts in Owensboro/Daviess County, she passed on her dedication to the arts to her children.

Marjorie was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Sessions Sunday school class, and Hospital Guild (now Women's Guild) of Owensboro.

She was an avid bridge player, though she particularly enjoyed playing cards with her family.

In 1996 John and Marjorie established the Community Life Foundation of Owensboro, now the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro.

She helped many people over the years as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. She was instrumental in the building of the 320 Club.

The Hager family would like to thank Teresa Roberts, Patty Murphy, Annette Payne, Janet McCarty, Nancy Jones and Martha Ralph for their care of and compassion for Marjorie during the last few years.

Survivors include her four children: Susie Hager Alford and Sally Hager Wood, both of Owensboro; Stewart Hager (Yolla) of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Bruce Hager (Lia) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and eight grandchildren: Josh Niehaus (Stephanie), Aimee Alford, Sarah and Laura Wood, and John Paul, Alex, Lauren and Sydney Hager. She is also survived by her brother, Dr. William McManus (Ann) and her stepsister, Patricia Boone.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, and 9 a.m. Friday, May 8, at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church. Funeral services will also be at Settle Memorial at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery.

Gifts in Marjorie's memory can be designated for the First Christian Church, Endowment for Christian Outreach (P.O. Box 966, Owensboro, KY 42302), the RiverPark Center (101 Daviess Street, Owensboro, KY 42303), or the Goodfellows Club of Owensboro (401 Frederica Street B203, Owensboro, KY 42301). Memorial gifts may also be brought to Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.glennfuneralhome.com