Marjorie Mardis Davidson died of an intracranial hemorrhage on September 6, 2001. Arrangements were private, with body donation to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for medical science. A memorial event was held on Saturday, October 6, 2001 at 2:30 p.m. in Hilltop House, Mendham. Commemoratives are: no flowers, donations to the American Heart Association or to the Marge Davidson Conference Center in the Schiff Natural Lands Trust.

Living in Mendham Township since 1956, Marge was born in Bluff City, Kansas in 1921, the daughter of Annie Schrock Mardis and Oliver Cromwell Mardis. Survivors are: husband Christian Davidson III, son Christian Davidson IV, daughter-in-law Martha J. Davidson, and granddaughter Johanna R. Davidson (all of Malibu, California), brothers Leroy Mardis of Caldwell, Kansas and Jack Mardis of Bluff City, Kansas.

Her schooling was a BA at Wichita State University and graduate work at Indiana University, majoring in psychology. Volunteer work has included: past president of Women’s Auxiliary of Ralston Engine Company No. 1, trustee of Schiff Natural Lands Trust, past president of Mendham Garden Club, member of Mendham Township Committee for Historical Preservation, trustee of Ralston Historical Association, and chairwoman of Mendham Township Board of Elections in Ralston. She was a co-founder of the library in Mendham Township Elementary School, helped start the church library at Hilltop House in Mendham, maintained operation of Ralston Historical Association’s museum for 25 years, prepared the application for Ralston Historical District--the first district in Morris County to be designated by the state and federal historical offices--and prevented destruction of the Wills’ family cemetery, which dates to the early 1770s.

During World War II she was employed in the Liberal Science Education program at Purdue University and in civilian employment at Camp Crowder, Missouri and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

From the Observer - Tribune September 27, 2001
Preservation Champion Mendhams mourns loss of pioneer preservationist

From the Observer - Tribune October 04, 2001
Marge Davidson, environmentalist

The concerns...about environmental issues were real--so many of us think, but let it slide by. Not Marge--she spoke out. I like to think that with her last burst of energy she managed to get to the Planning Board and speak out.

[My husband] really knew her better than I because of the Historical Group--he truly admired her for her ‘spunk,’ for her intelligence, and for her everlasting loyalty.

If she had to leave this world too soon, I am grateful it was before this last week’s events. As a woman, as a mother, it has been too much to bear, and I would like to think of Marge at peace, feeling well and tending her wonderful garden.”

Perhaps there would be less hatred in our world if there were more Marge Davidsons who try and make their communities the best possible places to live. She accomplished a great deal, and her lasting legacy is for all of us to carry on her advocacy role and to speak out on the issues of importance.

Marge had a wonderful twinkle in her eye as well, and she was a caring person who did more for others than we will ever know... We will miss her."

She was, too, a dear friend to me and my family--a great support to me during my mother’s illness. To our daughter...she gave her very first book of flowers when [daughter] was in kindergarten; on...graduation from Mountain View Marge arrived with armloads of evening primrose to decorate the stage and only last month sent an iris plant to...place in Maine.

We miss her, but remember her in every lovely garden."

MENDHAM TWP. Township resident Marge Davidson, a strong advocate of open space and historic preservation in the Mendham area, died on Thursday, Sept. 6. She was 80. Davidson, one of the leaders in the effort to save the Schiff tract from development, fought for land conservation in the Mendham area for nearly 40 years. She was a founding member and trustee of the Schiff Natural Lands Trust. A memorial gathering remembering the life of Marge Davidson will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Hilltop House, the parish house of the Hilltop Presbyterian Church on Hilltop Road in Mendham.

Earlier this year, the administration building of the 340-acre Schiff Natural Land Preserve was renamed to include Davidson's name.

''She (Davidson) was an incredibly dedicated person whose concern for the Mendham area was exceptional,'' said Michael Catania, president of the Schiff Natural Lands Trust. ''We were privileged to have her as a trustee. We will all miss her .''

In May, township Mayor Brian Phelan presented Catania with a proclamation by the Township Committee acknowledging the efforts of Davidson and the work of the Trust.

Heavy Involvement

An active member of the community, Davidson was a member of the Ralston Historical Association, the Mendham Garden Club, and the Women's Auxiliary of the Ralston Engine Company. She was also a parishioner at the Hilltop Presbyterian Church in Mendham and one of the original members of the Mendham Township Historic Preservation Committee.

''She (Davidson) was one of our most devoted members,'' said Ernie Maw, chairman of the Mendham Township Historic Preservation Committee. ''She was a career advocate of historic preservation in Mendham Township. This leaves a tremendous hole in our organization.''

A native of Bluff City, Kan., Marge Davidson and her husband, Christian, moved to Mendham Township in 1956.

''Most of her work on behalf of preservation was done quietly over the phone,'' said Christian Davidson. ''I recall no specific instances of her writing letters to the editor.''

The youngest of seven children, Marge Davidson grew up in a family and a town with a strong tradition of participating in public affairs, he said.

''She grew up near the Oklahoma border in a town with lots of Democrats,'' he said. ''Wheat farming was very big. Her father was a local carpenter and the town' s mayor. She was used to seeing people around her actively involved in public life.''

Marge Davidson received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Wichita State University and her masters degree in psychology from the University of Indiana. She and Christian were married during World War II. During the latter part of the war, she was in charge of hiring civil service personnel at Fort Monmouth near Red Bank. The couple had one child, Christian IV.

This past spring, board members of the Schiff Trust appointed Davidson as the Trust's first Trustee Emeritus. The appointment came after Davidson decided not to seek re-election as a board member.

''Marge Davidson has led the charge so many times,'' said Catania at a meeting of the Schiff Land Trust in May, ''that none of us could be unaware of her vigor and determination.''

''She often sensed the imminence of an assault on a way of life we cherish long before the attack became apparent to the rest of us,'' he said.

In responding to the tributes, Davidson said that ''there were still a lot of battles to be waged.''

Christian Davidson said he has been deluged with sympathy letters from area residents since his wife's death.

''Marge was so much a part of the fiber of this community, it is unthinkable the Mendhams could survive without her,'' wrote one resident. ''She has been such a friend to this town and to each of us personally. The only blessings are that s he has been spared not only her physical suffering but also hearing about the horrific events in New York and Washington.''

Another resident wrote that ''Marge was a very important reason that Mendham Township is still a charming small town. She will long be remembered by her devoted friends. She was truly a pioneer preservationist.''

©Observer - Tribune 2001

Marjorie ''Marge'' Mardis Davidson of the Ralston section of Mendham Township died of an intracranial hemorrhage on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001. Born in Bluff City, Kans., in 1921, she had lived in Mendham Township since 1956. Mrs. Davidson received a bachelor of arts degree from Wichita State University and did graduate work at Indiana University, majoring in psychology. During World War II, she was employed in the Liberal Science Education program at Purdue University and was a civilian employee at Camp Crowder, Mo., and Fort Monmouth in Eatontown. As a volunteer, she held posts and membership in many organizations. She was past president of Women's Auxiliary of Ralston Engine Co. No. l, trustee of Schiff Natural Lands Trust, past president of Mendham Garden Club, member of Mendham Township Committee for Historical Preservation, trustee of Ralston Historical Association and chairwoman of Mendham Township Board of Elections in Ralston.

She also was a co-founder of the library in Mendham Township Elementary School, helped start the church library at Hilltop House in Mendham, maintained operation of the Ralston Historical Association's museum for 25 years, prepared the application for the Ralston Historical District, the first district in Morris County to be designated by the state and federal historical offices, and prevented destruction of the Wills family cemetery, which dates to the early 1700.

Survivors are her husband, Christian Davidson III; a son, Christian Davidson IV and daughter-in-law, Martha J. Davidson; and a granddaughter, Johanna R. Davidson, all of Malibu, Calif.; and two brothers, Leroy Mardis of Caldwell, Kans., and Jack Mardis of Bluff City, Kans.

Arrangements were private, with body donation to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for medical science. A memorial event will be held at 2: 30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at Hilltop House, Mendham.

Donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick, N.J. 08902 or to the Marge Davidson Conference Center, Schiff Natural Lands Trust, Inc., 351 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham, N.J. 07945.

Observer - Tribune 2001