Marjorie Elizabeth Hewette Darby

Marjorie Elizabeth Sutter Hewette Darby passed away on February 8, 2013 at age 89, after a valiant struggle with cancer. As a wife, mother, step-mother, grandmother, teacher, church member and friend, she devoted her life to making the lives of those around her better. Born to Alice Elizabeth and Roy Milford Sutter on August 11, 1923 in Phoenix, she spent a happy childhood on their dairy farm in Glendale during the Great Depression, as the oldest of five children, and graduated from Tolleson High School in 1941. While her male peers served in World War II, Marjorie earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona majoring in Home Economics education. She began her 20-year career as a home economics teacher at Mesa High School, where she was working when she met Robert Hewette, an industrial arts teacher at another school. Marjorie and Bob were married on July 5, 1947, and they spent 50 happy years together rearing their three children, supporting each other in the teaching profession, and participating as active members of the First Baptist Church of Phoenix.

In 1969 Marjorie earned a Master’s Degree from Arizona State focused on underserved youth and then taught home economics, child development, and human relations at Carl Hayden High School until 1983, in addition to coordinating a job placement program for many of her students (the “H.E.R.O.” program). In her 15 years at Carl Hayden High, “Mrs. Hewette” helped many minority and underprivileged students to have a better chance for a positive future. Marjorie was a loving wife and mother and a dedicated church member. She was also a skilled pianist and seamstress, and blessed her family and church by sharing those talents. She was a member of her church women’s friendship circle and two retired Home Economics teachers groups. Perhaps one of her greatest talents was her way of including people within her circle–once you were connected with Marjorie you became a part of her extended family.

Marjorie was a tireless caregiver to her husband Bob for the last several years of his life. Six years after his passing, at age 80, she was blessed to marry Winston Darby, a long time fellow church member who had also lost his spouse. They spent nine wonderful years together, traveling and enjoying time with family and friends, including their Sunday School class and their Symphony group. And Marjorie cherished Winston’s three daughters and their families.

Marjorie is survived by her husband Winston, her four siblings, her children Robert E. Hewette, Jr., Irene (David) Ericksen, and Bonnie (Maurice) Wolohan, step-daughters Patty (Richard) Purdy, Karen (Mark) Bradakis and Cindy Darby, six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren and their spouses, and a total of four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Glencroft Providence Place Skilled Nursing facility, 8641 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85302, or the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.