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Marge Kamus had a formula for longevity. Follow these four steps every day: Tidy your house so you can always welcome company, be creative, learn something new and make someone smile.
Marjorie Ellen Bossert Kamus lived to the spectacular age of 97. She died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Jersey Shore. She was strong. She was smart. She was independent.
Marge was born March 4, 1926, to John and Edith Bossert of Avis. She grew up during the Great Depression and spoke frequently of her close-knit community -- how they rallied in support of one another through hard work and sharing.
Later, Marge earned a degree in physical education from Lock Haven University and soon taught gym class to high-school girls. This was at a time when women were underrepresented in sports. Marge was on the leading edge of this cultural expansion.
At LHU, Marge met her eventual husband, Frank J. Kamus (1927-1988). After Frank returned from the Pacific Theater in World War II, they became parents to Sue and Bob, living briefly in Hershey before settling permanently in Jersey Shore.
Marge, who was a natural at oil painting, took an interest in early American crafts and antiques. In the 1970s and early 80s, she ran Riverhouse Antiques within her stately brick Colonial home overlooking the Susquehanna River on North Main Street in Jersey Shore.
Later, in the mid-80s through early 90s, she ran the Nippenose Gap Store in Antes Fort.
This may have been Marge's heyday.
The store might not have turned a reliable profit, but every day she played host to a gaggle of her retired friends who would sit at an antique wooden table at the back of the store, drink coffee brewed with water from a nearby brook and listen as Marge held court.
Marge always surrounded herself with beautiful things. Her home, just like her store, was as curated as a museum. Even her junk drawer was tidy and full of hand-selected items like antique shears.
And she was tough.
Her husband passed suddenly, but she persevered. Cancer tried to take her, but she persevered. She suffered the passing of her two adult children, but she persevered.
She was fiercely independent, living alone and providing for herself until a mere month before her passing and following her four rules.
Marge is survived by her daughter-in-law, Pat Kamus; grandchildren, Ben McCanna, Vanessa Ruckle and Eric Kamus; and great-grandchildren, Otis McCanna, Arlo McCanna, Harlow Ruckle, Weston Ruckle and Vivian Ruckle.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are entrusted to Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, Jersey Shore. www.WelkerFuneralHome.com