[Oe List ...] We are collecting stories for Marge Philbrook's 85th Birthday Celebration

[Joyce Sloan]

Happy birthday Marge!!

Our journey started together in Dallas, during the late 60's when Phil hire
me to teach GED classes in the War on Poverty Program that he was
directing. From meetings at the house on Mckinney Street in Dallas, to
transforming the old Dallas Hotel into Educational Systems, Inc. (ESI) to
our moving (and the Philbrooks' return) to Chicago in the early 70's, and
on and on and on; what a journey it has been!

There are so many stories in which "Marge-isms" are revealed. Two in
particular, I recall most vividly.  First, I remember when Carlos and I
were formulating the decision to move to Chicago and become a part of The
Order with our then 5 year old son, Carlos Anthony.  I remember you were
telling Anthony about how exciting it would be to live where it snowed and
make snowmen.  When he asked if there were black snowmen in Chicago,
without missing a beat you said "Oh yes, in fact all the snowmen are black
in Chicago."   I remember looking at you a bit concerned and your comment
was that with all of the soot and city grime in Chicago it was really true.

Then, I remember when we visited with you in Louisiana and met your
parents.  Grandma and Grandpa Smith were definitely remnants of the old
south in terms of their attitudes and fears about black people. Marge, you
tried to warn us, but nothing could have prepared us for the assault that
our presence in their home caused. I think grandpa Smith handled us a bit
better, but poor grandma Smith was petrified! In typical Marge fashion, you
never backed down in demonstratively showing friendship and affection.  And
when they referred to us as "colored" you always asked "what color?"

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift that you are to the world as
well as to my family and me.



On Wed, May 29, 2013 at 11:59 AM, Gene Marshall <jgmarshall at cableone.net>wrote:

> Dear Marge,
>
> I first met you sometime in the early 1960s in your home in Scottsdale AZ.
>  At that time you were raising a herd of children and the biggest St
> Bernard dog I ever saw.  You had already begun, I believe, doing whatever
> had to be done and doing it well.  Thank you for your persistence and your
> longevity of service.
>
> Gene Marshall
>
>
> On May 29, 2013, at 11:01 AM, Ken Fisher wrote:
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> Many of you were on assignments with her in various places and we would
> like to know those stories.   I tried to make a list.  Lagos, Manila,
> Tokyo, Boston, Kansas City, Detroit, Dallas,  & 3444.  Of course, recently
> back at 4750.
>
> She loves to tell us from her perspective but we would like to hear them
> from yours as well.
>
> *Her first official RSI was in 62 or 63 in Phoenix.  Joe and crew were in
> Phoenix staying with us and he was speaking for Religious Emphasis week at
> Arizona State.  When they asked the opening question, "Name and what
> grounds  you in history?  she replied.  "My name is Marge Philbrook and I
> run a motel".*
> *
> *
> *One summer after we had first moved to the 4750 building, she was asked
> to coordinate the print shop.  She told JWM, she would do it if she had 2
> men would not go to the bathroom unless she told them to and so they
> assigned Wayne Nelson and ????.  She went to Sears and bought 2 blue
> dresses exactly alike so she could wash one each night and have a clean one
> to put on the next day.  Then when the program was over she threw them
> away.  I remember they had a sign on the wall "ODD before EVEN" because
> when you are printing you want 4 on the back of 3 or 9 with 10 on the back.
> *
>
> *Once when I visited Kansas City, Dallas Z told me, when there was
> nothing in the kitchen to cook, they would send Marge into the kitchen
> because she could always find something make fried rice.*
> *
> *
>
> *Marge Philbrook, 2013*
>
> *“I don’t understand why you wait until someone is dead to say all the
> good things about them.  I want people to tell the good things to my face.
> Then when I die, you can get together and tell all the bad things.”*
>
>
> *It would be great if you would  join us to celebrate- June 9th at 4750
> North Sheridan in Chicago,  2 to 5 PM*.
>
>
> But if you cannot make it, send us your story. We will be sure to tell ‘em
> to her face.
>
>
> She knows about the party if you want to call her directly, I will give
> you her phone number. Please reply to mhsp1928 at gmail.com.
>
>
> You're the greatest!
>
>
> Paula
>
> *Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into
> enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order,
> confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home,
> a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace
> for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow*.
> *Melody* Beattie
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