Margie L. Hnatiuk

Margie Hnatiuk (95) of Norwich passed away peacefully at the Wm. W. Backus Hospital on January 5, 2017 from complications resulting from a stroke. She was born on July 22, 1921 in Waterford, CT to Coranna (Belhumeur) and Earl T. Webb. Mr. Webb was from Arkansas and met Miss Belhumeur of Taftville at Mohegan Park while he was stationed at the U.S. Submarine Base in Groton.

Margie’s early childhood was spent in Taftville with her mother and French-speaking family, led by her grandmother, Exilda Belhumeur. After Margie’s father left the Navy, Margie and her parents moved to Arkansas where her dad worked for the Mississippi River Fuel Company. She grew up in Arkansas and Missouri, attended high schools there and completed studies at Chillicothe Business College in Missouri.

In 1938, her senior year at Newport (AR) High School, Margie was selected as Miss Jackson County and represented Newport, AR at the 2-day Ozark Jubilee of 1938 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. There Margie was crowned Miss Ozark of 1939 and opened the Jubilee by dancing with Missouri Governor Hoyd C. Stark.

The Webbs returned to Norwich when Earl was called back to the Navy and Margie began work at the American Thermos Bottle Co. It was there she met her beloved husband of 65 years, Edward Hnatiuk, who was also employed in the offices at the Thermos.

Margie and Eddie were wed on April 7, 1945 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich and held their reception at Norwich Inn. After a year working for the Thermos in New York City, they returned to CT and lived alongside the extended Hnatiuk family in Preston from 1946-1986. In 1986 Margie and Eddie built a retirement home at Gardner Lake, on land where they had a cottage since 1954. Many wonderful summers and retirement years were spent at the lake.

With Margie at his side, Eddie became a well-known businessman, establishing the Debutante Shops in Norwich, Danielson and Westerly, RI. Margie and Eddie worked hard and lived life to the fullest. They loved to travel and did often, especially by car. They drove across the country several times visiting many of the natural treasures of our United States. Being avid card players, Margie was a firm believer that it helped to keep the mind sharp.

Margie and Eddie were proud parents of four children. She is survived by Patty Hnatiuk and husband, Neil Rohr, of Cambridge, MA; Chip Hnatiuk and wife, Lori, of Preston; Kate Johnson and husband Len, of Gardner Lake, Oakdale; and Clint Hnatiuk of Melbourne Beach, FL. Margie is also survived by her five loving grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, plus cousins, nieces and nephews.

At the end of her life, Margie said “Most of all we enjoyed spending time together with those we loved,” and she found great comfort in having lived 95 good years. Her loving kindness and special sense of humor will remain in the hearts of all that knew her.

There will be a private graveside service at Maplewood Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Margie’s Life at 12:00 noon on January 14th at Holiday Inn, 10 Laura Blvd., Norwich, CT 06360.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Macular Vision Research Fund, 100 Front St. Suite 300, W. Conshohocken, PA 19428 (mvrf.org).