Margery J. Steady, 95

LACONIA — No longer pining for the fjords, Margery J. Steady, of the Taylor Community, Laconia, died on March 21, 2024, at the age of 95.

She was the daughter of the late Karl H. and Louise I. Johnson of Belmont, Massachusetts, and the widow of Karl (Bud) A. Steady Jr., who passed away in 1996. She was preceded by her brother Richard I. Johnson of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, who passed away in July 2020, at the age of 95. She is survived by her three sons: Richard J. Steady (Denise Hill) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Scott Steady (Mercy) of Tampa, Florida, and Karl A. Steady III (Babette Arroyo) of Londonderry. She is also survived by her grandchildren Alex Steady (Lauren) and Monica Faubert (Joel), two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Margery grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts, and graduated from Belmont High School in 1945. At 3 years old, she contracted polio, from which she recovered, but which left her with a distinctive gate and auditory portent in the halls of Laconia High School, which forewarned her children of her approach (less so after the floors were carpeted.) She graduated from Boston University with a bachelor of science degree in practical arts and letters with honors in 1949.

Following college, Margery taught business education at Hanover High School in Hanover for two years, taking advantage of her summers off and her sense of adventure to travel. In her first summer of travel through Europe, she accidentally ran into her brother on the streets of Paris while he too was traveling through Europe. Margery also visited with her seventh grade World War II pen pal from England, with whom she remained in correspondence until her friend’s passing a couple of years ago. The following summer she traveled by banana freighter to Cuba, Panama though the Canal, and on to Columbia. She completed both trips solo.

Margery returned to Massachusetts and became a secretary in the human relations department at Harvard University. While there she attended a class given by professor Hugh Cabot II and provided editorial services for a book he was writing.

In the fall of 1952, while visiting a sorority sister who lived in Laconia, she had a fortuitous minor car accident on Route 106 near Rocky Pond coming into Laconia. This accident led to meeting her future husband. After marrying in 1953, they moved to Henniker, where Karl attended New England College under the GI Bill, and Margery worked as a secretary to the treasurer of NH Savings Bank in Concord.

The couple moved to Claremont for a short time before settling in Laconia at 26 Clark Ave. She was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest son entered school. She then returned to business education, teaching at Laconia High School eventually retiring as head of the department in 1991.

Margery was active in the community. While a young mother, she was a member of Lakes Region General Hospital’s Nursery Baby program (re-named Nursery Guild) and eventually became its president. She was also a member of the Lakeport Women’s Club. She made numerous life-long friends in these organizations, many who are the parents of her children’s friends. After retiring, she volunteered for 17 years at LRGH in the oncology department. Later in life, she could often be seen walking her shih tzu Lulu or being walked by her yellow Lab Zip or chocolate Lab Belle on Union Avenue and throughout Lakeport.

Her lifelong interests included reading, dogs, travel, classical music, theatrical productions, and knitting Nordic pattered sweaters.

Accommodating her wishes, there will be no visiting hours or service.

A celebration of life will be held in the near future.

For those who wish, donations in her memory may be made to the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation — Friends of the Foundation Operating Fund (lrscholarship.org/donors) or the Shriners Hospitals for Children (shrinerschildrens.org/en/giving).

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.