May 5, 1926 – April 22, 2014

A 39-year resident of Davis, Marjorie Prout passed away peacefully at her home on April 22, 2014, after a short illness. She was 87. Marjorie was born Marjorie Doris Lester in Orwell, New York, to Harry Emerson Lester and Florence Martin Lester on May 5, 1926, and grew up in Leonia, New Jersey. During the Second World War, she joined the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps at Keuka College in New York state. receiving a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1948.

Marjorie returned to her hometown of Leonia and began her nursing career in the operating room at Englewood Hospital. Following her marriage to Timothy Prout in 1950, Marjorie continued her specialization as a surgical nurse in the Neurological Institute at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. In 1954, Marjorie and Timothy traveled to Riverside, Calif., where Timothy became a professor at UC Riverside. In Riverside, Marjorie continued to work in nursing, an occupation she greatly enjoyed. In 1958, after the birth of her second child, Marjorie retired from nursing. She moved to Davis with her family in 1975, where she remained the rest of her life.

Marjorie became a proud resident and enthusiastic promoter of Davis. She was friends with many local business owners and supported local museums and causes. She often dined out at a variety of Davis restaurants (she insisted The Graduate has the best onion rings) and would frequently attend the Saturday Farmers Market. In addition to enjoying Davis, Marjorie took full advantage of nearby San Francisco, with frequent trips to the opera, symphony (on the “symphony bus”), and overnight outings with visitors and friends. She played tennis for many years, walked the greenbelt daily, and was an avid and much-appreciated cook. Many people in Davis will remember her Christmas cookies and Danish meatballs.

Marjorie and Timothy traveled often for extended stays in Aarhus, Denmark, where Timothy had professional connections. Marjorie considered Aarhus a second home where she had many good friends. She delighted in the traditions and cuisine of Denmark; she made sure Christmas, even in Davis, was always celebrated with a Danish spirit.

In her later years, Marjorie was proud to be self-sufficient and living independently; on most mornings she could be seen charging through the greenbelt completing two-mile walks after which she would zip around town running many errands for herself and others.

Most of all, Marjorie will be remembered for her great generosity and kindness, as well as her friendly joking and quick wit. She will be missed.

She is preceded in death by Timothy Prout, her husband of 58 years. She is survived by a sister, Janet Graessle; two children, Mary Prout and David Prout; and two grandchildren, Ellen Slatkin and Eric Prout.
A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 640 Hawthorn Lane in Davis. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Those who wish to sign a guestbook online may do so at www.wiscombefuneral.com.

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