Marjorie Morton Otto

Marjorie Morton Otto, 79, passed away on Wednesday July 26, 2023 at her home in New Bern North Carolina. Marji, as she went by, was born in New Haven Connecticut on January 18, 1944 to the late Maynard and Katherine Morton. A 1961 graduate of Milford High School in Milford, CT, where she met her future husband Jay Otto, and Windham College in Putney, Vermont where she went on to teach public school first and second grades in Townsend, VT.

After a separation of 13 years, marriages and children, Jay and Marji re-met in 1979 while Jay was managing a KOA campground, and married in 1980 on Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay. They were then hired and moved to Cape May County NJ to manage a resort campground. After seven years they left the campground and were hired as the Co-Executive Directors of the New Jersey Campground Owners Association at which they managed for 25 years until retirement in 2012. Upon retirement they moved to New Bern, NC and continued their connection to camping by traveling in their fifth wheel trailer including a two month cross county trip of 10,000 miles. Being history buffs they have visited 23 presidential libraries/museums.

Marji leaves behind her beloved high school sweetheart and husband of 44 years, Jay, 79, her two biological children Chip, 53 of Brooksville FL, Anne (Dominic), 50 of Houston TX, two stepsons Jay, Jr., 56 (Jackie) of Agawam, Massachusetts, Brent, 55 (Kob) of Brooksville, FL, and two granddaughters, Abbey, 28 of Guilford, CT and Mia,15 of Houston, TX.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for in Florida on future date.

The New Jersey Campground Owners and Outdoor Lodging Association (NJCOA), along with campground owners in The Garden State, are mourning the passing of its former executive director Marjorie Otto.

Marji, as she went by, along with her husband, Jay, were an integral part of NJCOA for over 25 years.

“Marji very much enjoyed the campground industry and the many friendships she made,” noted Joann DelVescio, the current executive director of the NJCOA. “Marji and Jay were known throughout New Jersey and the country for their expertise and insight into the camping industry. Even after Marji and Jay retired from their positions, they always came back to New Jersey to visit with their campground friends.”

DelVescio told WOODALLSCM.com (WCM) that when she assumed the position after the Ottos retired, Marji always had time for a phone call to ensure the transition was smooth.

“NJCOA and the national campground industry have lost a friend, a mentor and a champion for the industry,” she noted.

Judy LaPorta, owner of Little Oaks Campground in New Jersey has fond memories of Marji and her interactions with NJCOA members.

She mentioned that besides the daily tasks of running NJCOA with her husband as a duo team, Marji spent a great deal of time thinking of themes for the Mid-Atlantic Conferences that the NJCOA host each spring.

“She could charm campground owners into wearing costumes and participating in games and events like no other individual in our industry.,” LaPorta explained. “There were conferences where attendees were dressed in toga attire, wore pj’s to the banquet, performed daunting tasks as survivors, paraded through the hotel dressed in Mardi Gras outfits and so much more.

“Marji had a dislike for plastic pink flamingos but that never stopped some of the members from making sure one or more would appear when she least expected,” she added. ” She always had a smile and her little giggle. Wherever Jay was, she was right there beside him. They were like two peas in a pod. They truly loved the industry and the people in it.”

LaPorta told WCM that she traveled many times with them, and they never missed a Friendly’s for lunch or dinner along the way.

“Marji’s style was well-groomed and she always had a jacket or sweater in case it was cold,” she noted. “She adored her granddaughters and purchased trinkets for them during her travels. She was a true camper, campground manager and executive director all rolled up in one little dynamite package. She will be missed by her family and many of her forever industry friends.”

Karen Kymer, owner of Kymer’s Camping Resort, noted that Marji and her husband were the backbone of the NJCOA association.

“They provided campground owners with the information needed to keep our businesses running for many years as well as helping us navigate through some tough times,” she said. “We have lost a great camping advocate. Her bright smile will be missed.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cottenfuneralhome.com for the Otto family.