In Memoriam: Marjorie Moore, FSG

I just received a sad note from Jeanne Bunting that says, in part:

I have just heard that Marjorie Moore, FSG, a well-known name in Family History circles in the UK, has been killed in an accident while on holiday in South Africa. She was in a safari vehicle that overturned.

She was a past Chairman of the Society of Genealogist and was instrumental in organising its London Family History Fair from its beginning. She and her husband Richard could be seen most weekends at Family History Fairs around the country where they gave free advice.

She wore many hats and will be sadly missed by the organisations she represented and well as by Richard and their families.

Details about Marjorie Moore's accident are available at http://www.thisisswindon.co.uk/display.var.692061.0.woman_killed_on_safari.php

Comment by Dick Eastman: I only met Marjorie Moore a few times. I remember sitting beside her and her husband Richard at dinner in a restaurant in London a year or two ago. I was very impressed by her love of genealogy and her obvious enjoyment of life. She set an example that will long be remembered.

Comments

[Dick Eastman]

UPDATE: Details about Marjorie Moore's accident are available at
http://www.thisisswindon.co.uk/display.var.692061.0.woman_killed_on_safari.php

[Dick Eastman]

The following was written by Frank Hardy, Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Society of Genealogists:

Date: 27/02/2006 21:39 PM

RE: [SoG] The late Marjorie Moore, F.S.G

Those of you who have been saddened by news of the death of Marjorie Moore might like to know that the Society has started a Book of Condolence. The book has been placed in the Common Room for members and staff to put their personal messages.

So that others, who cannot get to the Society, have an opportunity to contribute, arrangements have been made for e-mailed contributions to be accepted through the Society Web-site via a link on the home page at http://www.sog.org.uk

The electronic contributions will be collected and added to the book before passing it to Richard Moore.

I have spoken to Richard since he returned home, and he is overwhelmed by the support he is getting and the messages from all round the world.

Richard has given me more bits and pieces of information which I can pass on to you. When he had the task of identifying Marjorie's body the only sign that there had been an accident was heavy bruising. Her body was cremated in South Africa and Richard scattered the ashes out at sea, with the help of the Sea Rescue people at Port Elizabeth, and he has a chart with the position marked. The tour organisers SAGA, and the people at the game reserve were extremely caring and Richard's brother flew out to be with him a couple of days after the accident.

Their church at Swindon had a service early on Thursday morning to coincide with the time of the Cremation in South Africa, and there is a memorial service arranged for Monday 6th March at 15:00, but my information is that the church is likely to be very full with local people as well as the genealogical world.

I am very honoured to have been asked by Richard to give the Eulogy at the service on Monday in accordance with Marjorie's wishes, and I will be representing the Society as Mike Wood is unable to attend.

Frank Hardy
Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees