Marjorie Steele Deniso

Marjorie Ann Steele was born at home, in a house her father built, on May 17, 1928 in Randolph, Massachusetts. She was the forth of five children born to Lester Brown Steele and Hilda Lundberg Steele. She was proud to have her birthday on Norway’s Constitution Day, the day in 1814 that Norway declared itself to be an independent kingdom. Her maternal grandmother had emigrated from Norway to Brooklyn, NY in 1887.

Her life changed dramatically when the Great Depression resulted in her father losing his job; the family moved to North Edgecomb, Maine in 1932 to “live off the land” in a farmhouse built in 1814. Now living without plumbing or electricity, her father, who had studied agriculture at the University of Maine, gardened, fished and went clamming while her mother preserved everything including dandelions on an old woodstove. She and her older brother, Ralph, would walk a mile after dinner each night to buy milk from family friends. Eventually, they inherited a cow and horse from her paternal grandparents who lived in Milbridge, Maine. She recalled how the nine biscuits per box of shredded wheat cereal were separated by cardboard that they used in their shoes to cover the holes. Despite the hardships, she remembered this time as a happy one. She loved the 87 acres of land, climbing trees, and picking wild berries. She and Ralph often visited “Gram Bragg” who lived several miles away, crossing a brook to get there. Their old friend was always happy to see them and often had homemade donuts and cookies to give them. During this time her oldest brothers, Bill and “Bud” worked on neighbor farms to help support the family.

Her youngest brother, Edward, was born on a bitter cold night in February 1933. By 1936, poverty and hardship had taken its toll; her parents separated and divorced, eventually remarrying and divorcing again. The times were filled with great difficulties and anguish that she never forgot and greatly shaped the person she became. She was always grateful for life’s simple pleasures and the security and love of her family.

During the 1930’s and 1940’s, circumstances caused her family to move several times. From Maine back to Randolph and then to Long Island, NY and, eventually, back to Maine. She remembered running outside on December 7, 1941 to tell her parents that we were at war. Her mother screamed with worry for her sons and the country. While attending Lincoln Academy in Maine, one of her proudest moments came in 1943 when her brother, Ralph, walked across the stage in his Navy uniform after having just enlisted, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers to serve their country. She enjoyed recalling the standing ovation he received. After he passed in 2012, she wrote to his children that “he was a wonderful brother…in my heart I will give him a standing ovation.”

After graduating from Lincoln Academy in 1946, Marjorie moved to Boston. From her apartment at the corner of Charles and Mt. Vernon Streets on Beacon Hill, she launched her new life in a neighborhood and city she adored. In later years, she declared that she was a “Bostonian at heart.”

She began working at R.H. Sterns in alterations and was personally requested by many of the store’s clients as her reputation as an expert seamstress spread. Long interested in fashion and design, she had developed these skills, she said, as a child making clothes for her doll from scraps of material her mother gave her after making clothes for her children.

During this time, she made frequent trips back to Maine to visit family and friends. She had a life-long love of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Bristol and Boothbay Harbor. One of her great joys was walking at the seashore on a foggy, rainy day.

In Boston, she made many new friends, became a life-long Red Sox fan (she saw Ted Williams play and took her kids years later to Yaz’ final game), and became very much a part of her new community. One story that made her laugh was her recollection of walking down the street and becoming transfixed on the beautiful coat of a man walking towards her. Her eye always naturally noticed well-made clothing. Only when the man got close did she recognize him as Edward G. Robinson. But, it was his coat that carried the story!

In the 1950’s, she began a new career as an X-ray technician at Deaconess Hospital in Boston where she worked under Mirle Kellett, M.D. whom she greatly respected.

During this time, she volunteered as a hostess for the Boston Seaman’s Friend Society and wrote for their publication, The Sea Breeze. It was there that she met the handsome seaman, Gordon Deniso; they married in 1957.

Working at Deaconess until just 3 weeks before the birth of her daughter in 1958, Marjorie then started her own design and alterations business out of a bigger apartment at the same Beacon Hill address she had had for years. It was a busy time with daily walks to the nearby Boston Public Garden with her daughter and consultations with a quickly growing clientele. Her talents were extraordinary. From completely deconstructing and resizing a lined coat to designing and making wedding dresses, there was nothing she could not do. At this time, she began years of making her daughter’s clothes. Every August during her elementary school years meant trips to the stores for patterns, material, buttons and zippers. A number of these dresses from the 1960’s survive and are a reminder of her remarkable skills, resourcefulness, creativity and love of her craft.

Twin sons came along in November 1960 only 4 days after JFK, Jr. was born. They were weeks early, but a friend had predicted that their birth would come around the same time as President and Mrs. Kennedy’s child.

Marjorie’s husband, who was still in the merchant marines, was gone nearly 11 months of the year so when his ship began docking frequently in Portland, Maine, the decision was made to move there in early 1961. The first two years in Portland were difficult. It was a dramatic change from Boston. The family’s apartment was located far from the downtown and easy shopping. Not having a car added to the challenges. And, one of her sons was showing the effects of his birth trauma, his severe disabilities still to be realized.

In March of 1963, with her daughter starting school that fall, she was determined to make a change. She had identified Portland’s West End neighborhood as an ideal location for her children to grow up. On a cold March day, she and her daughter found a FOR RENT sign on the Victorian duplex that would be her home for the next 29 years, buying it ten year later. With limited resources and a keen eye for decorating, she made it a beautiful home.

The 1960’s and 1970’s were a busy time. She was a fierce advocate for her son, Gordon, Jr, who, without the benefit of special education options in the public schools, was admitted to Pineland Hospital and Training Center in 1966. She led weekly family visits and became an influential and respected member of the Pineland Parents and Friends Association until her son moved to a local group home in 1996. She was completely involved in every aspect of his care until his passing in 2016.

In 1968, one of 80 applicants for a position in Maine Medical Center’s fledgling Day Treatment program, she got the job and enjoyed a fulfilling and successful 19 year career where she was well respected by all. One of the psychiatrists who managed the program told her that if he wanted to know how a patient was doing, he would read her notes.

During the 1970’s, she took her children to countless Red Sox games which are remembered fondly. She understood that an essential part of the experience was arriving with plenty of time to take in the souvenir shop, buy pretzels and nuts from the street vendors and feel the excitement of waiting for the gates to open. She carried sandwiches, drinks and snacks without complaint (this was years before bags were checked). After the game, she enjoyed watching her kids wait patiently at the players’ exit for autographs and photos.

She was thrilled to get her license in 1983! But, she never loved driving and family members often made her laugh with their depiction of her behind the wheel.

In 1992, it was time to downsize and she and her husband moved to Cape Elizabeth where she enjoyed many happy years gardening, reading, caring for her dogs and cat and partaking of fried clams at The Lobster Shack. She was thrilled when grandsons came along in 2000 and 2003. After much consideration, she announced that she would like to be called Grandy.

She always strove to do the right thing even when it was inconvenient, speak out against injustices when others said “don’t rock the boat”, and advocate for those who could not advocate for themselves. She was unselfish, thoughtful and kind. She left the world a better place. The most loving mother and grandmother, she will be forever missed but always in our hearts.

Marjorie was predeceased by her mother in 1971, her father in 1979, her brothers (William Steele in 1995, Frank Steele in 2002, Ralph Steele in 2012 and Edward Steele in 2013), husband Gordon Dominic Deniso, Sr. in 2002 and son, Gordon Dominic Deniso, Jr. in 2016. Additionally, she was predeceased by her beloved cat, Max, and dogs Brandy and Charlie. She is survived by her daughter, Gay Deidre Deniso; daughter-in-law, Connie Pacillo; son, G. Daniel Deniso; grandsons, Cameron Daniel Deniso and Reid Dominic Deniso and her rescue dog Dewey.

The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at the Maine Veterans’ Home for the many happy times she had since moving there last August. A special thank you to her canine friends, Tuukka and Chloe, who brightened her day on more than one occasion.

Donations in her memory may be made to:

The Animal Welfare Society

P.O. Box 43

West Kennebunk, ME 04094

Fetching Hope Rescue

P.O. Box 23

Westbrook, ME 04092