In 2000 during my first trip to NYC, after much encouragement from my Aunt Dama, Marge's first cousin, I met up with Marge. Like many others we connected right away; Marge was warm, funny, intelligent, and interested. During our initial meeting she introduced me to her Greenwich Village neighborhood and told wonderful stories of her shared childhood with my father, A.G. Riddick, Jr., and his sisters Dama and Mildred, during the summers she and her beloved brother spent with my dad's family on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Over the years, as my siblings and our extended families got to know Marge, she became very special to us all. Marge shared herself freely,including her passions and attachments for her adored late husband Arthur, family, neighbors/friends, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, music, the stock market... She was uniquely unpretentious, generous,and so fun to be with. Marge and I inevitably ended up splitting our time together trading opinions and sharing laughs. I am grateful I had the opportunity to know and love my second cousin and dear friend Marjorie De Graff.

I guess I've known Marge most of my life – though there was a big gap between the time I was 3 years old and 53!  My dad, A.G. Riddick Jr, was her first cousin.   After meeting Marge as an adult at a Riddick family reunion in Santa Cruz, I looked back through my childhood photo albums and found a few pics of her posed with me and little sister, Stephanie.  We're talking about 1950. I recall my parents and my Aunt Dama mentioning Marge a few times over the years, but I didn't really know her until that Santa Cruz family get-together.  I'm grateful to my siblings, Stephanie and Janet, for bringing us all together, and to Marge for making the effort to get to know us.  She was a trip – bohemian (or so she struck me), intellectual, proud of being a New Yorker, smart, and thoughtful in many ways.  My family and I will miss Marge very much.

Although Marge was my second cousin, my husband Doug and I only met her about twelve years ago when we had a family reunion in California. We all hit it off with Marge immediately. She especially connected with the scientists in the family. Through those years we've known Marge, we've spent Christmas together, traveled to Alaska, and toured New York City, southern California and a wee bit of Rhode Island. She and Doug enjoyed at least one beer in each of those places. Marge was a wise, funny, interesting woman we loved very much. We will miss her dearly.

Marge was my friend and neighbor for over twelve years.  We lived on the same floor at The Cambridge House in Greenwich Village.  Over the years we developed a special relationship, and Marge would often drop by, unannounced, to ask if she could watch some tv with me.  

She loved coffee ice cream and I always kept some in the freezer for her visits.

We kept in touch after her move to Rhode Island.  We often spoke and twice I went to see her.  

Marge will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Walter Finley

I shared the love of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden with Marge for many years working with her and others in the Signature Plants Department of the garden.
We spent many hours working, talking and having lunch together.
I will miss her!!!
Merlin Markinson

Marge was a wonderful and dedicated volunteer here at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I have any number of memories of her working to pack up plants for the signature member give away. She was so giving of her time and knowledge. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

My grandfather (Marge's uncle) was a favorite topic to discuss for Marge and me. We had lots of fun reminiscing about his character.   It has been two years since we helped Marge move  up to Rhode Island.  She had lots of guests from places like New York and California.  She still looked forward to more visitors and was always wanting to be among her beloved friends.  My thoughts are with them, knowing that Marge is remembered well.

Marge was a very sensitive person toward the end of her life.  It was a pleasure to enjoy that beautiful side of her while visiting and seeing that all her needs and wants were met.   Scott was instrumental in seeing that all her care was the best.  She will be missed.  Her enthusiasm and joy at our family visits was delightful.  Thank you Scott from Marge's deepest heart.  Mine too!!

Marge was a true lover of nature and all beautiful things.  As musicians, my husband and I appreciated her love for music and the ways in which supported the art form in her daily life.  Marge and Arthur regularly attended many musical events in New York and particularly loved the work of Gilbert and Sullivan.  Marge had a true appreciation for life and all living things through her work at the Botanic Garden and her quietly nurturing manner.  We will miss our regular visits, her quirky sense of humor, and her deep love of growth in life.

OBITUARIO

Marjorie S. De Graff

7 octubre, 1926 – 3 junio, 2013

Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home

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