Marjorie M. Keen

Marjorie McLaren Keen, 92, of Elizabethtown, PA, formerly of Parkesburg, Pa, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown.  Born in Rochester, PA, she was the daughter of the late Robert Shannon and Edna Shorten McLaren.  She was the former wife of the late E. Arthur Keen Jr.

Marjorie spent her early life in suburban Pittsburgh.  She studied Journalism at Penn State University and graduated in 1974 from Immaculata University with a B.A. Sociology.

As a freelance journalist, Marjorie wrote for Philadelphia, West Chester and Lancaster newspapers as well as more than a dozen magazines.  Under the title Treasured Legacies she published memoirs for 17 prominent citizens. She contributed to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and taught senior citizens at Widener University's OLLI Institute.

Her community and professional activities included Parkesburg Free Library, Girl Scout Brownies, the former Coatesville Hospital, Chester County Cooperative Extension, Pennsylvania Master Gardener Steering Committee, Delaware County Press Club and Association of Personal Historians.

She was an ordained Elder at Parkesburg First United Presbyterian Church and was involved in denomination responsibilities.  In retirement she lived at Masonic Village Elizabethtown for 11 years, playing an active role in the community as well as in Donegal Presbyterian Church and The Donegal Society.

Marjorie is survived by a son, Robert M. Keen of Camp Hill, PA, a daughter, Jill Bickert and husband, Kevin of Peachtree City, GA, two grandchildren, James Keen and Megan Aldridge, and husband, Kevin, and four great grandchildren, Sterling, Cody, Jayden, and Ethan Aldridge.  Also surviving are a brother, Robert J. McLaren, a sister, Susan Lammert and husband, Richard, as well as beloved nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Stepmother, Sally Tyskiewicz McLaren, sister, Nancy Curry, and niece Jennifer Curry Tawes.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Upper Octorara Cemetery, 357 Octorara Rd. Parkesburg, PA.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Parkesburg Free Library, 105 West St., Parkesburg, PA, 19365.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com