Marjorie Rost Dehls

DEHLS, Marjorie (Rost), 87, of Westwood, MA, died on September 3, 2016, in Westwood, MA. Born on October 24, 1928, in Westfield, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Elsie Christophers Rost and Henry Lewis Rost. Marj graduated from Westfield High School and attended Connecticut College. She was married to James (Jim) McIntosh, until his death in 1954. They had one son and a daughter. In 1958, she married Allan Dehls, adopted his three daughters, and moved to Mountainside, New Jersey, where they raised their combined family. Marj served others in every phase of her life. In New Jersey, she was a volunteer leader in her children's schools, at the Children's Specialized Hospital and at Muhlenberg Hospital. After moving to New Hampshire, Marj became involved with the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. She was honored to receive the Volunteer Recognition Award, and remained interested the League throughout her life. She delivered Meals on Wheels and provided transportation for veterans to health care appointments. In South Carolina, she was a reading tutor to children. In Massachusetts, she was part of the Welcoming Committee at Fox Hill Village. She and her husband were supporters of Camp Mayhew, a camp for at-risk boys in New Hampshire.
She was a doting grandmother (hence her nickname "DG"), and treasured time spent at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Marj was an enthusiastic rug hooker, creating original rugs for her family and friends. Another love was singing. She sang with choirs in New Jersey, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Massachusetts. She will be remembered for her love of classical music, her sharp wit, and her service to others. Marj is survived by her son Jim Dehls (Tricia) of Woodstock, CT, and daughters Sue Spain (Jon) of Grandview, TX, Betsy Price (Chuck) of Ann Arbor, MI, Cookie Ragen (Joe) of Oakland CA, and Lois Cornell (Linc) of Natick, MA, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren, her brother and sister in law, Lois and Bob Alenson, and nieces and nephews. The Dehls family thanks the Fox Hill Village staff for the warm welcome and personal, attentive care extended to our mother during the 10 years she lived in the community.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 10th, at the First Baptist Church, in Westwood, MA at 1:00. A reception will follow at 2:30 at Fox Hill Village, in Westwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Allan W. and Marjorie R. Dehls Memorial Fund, Mayhew Program, 293 W. Shore Rd., Bristol, NH 03222.