Marjorie Jane Greenberg Roget Johnson

MARJORIE JOHNSON had the world's biggest heart. She used that gift to infect everyone around her with love, laughter, and kindness. On Friday, that great heart finally gave all it could give, and Marjorie passed away. Born on October 11, 1927, Marjorie was the youngest of nine children. Marjorie's father lost his businesses and life's savings in the Great Depression. To help the family, Marjorie and her siblings walked the railroad lines picking up coal to heat their homes. Marjorie worked from a young age. Her mother, Sophie, held the family together with her affectionate demeanor and contagious sense of humor. She passed these traits to Marjorie, who earned the nickname "Bubbles." From an early age, Marjorie strove to help others. During high school, she worked at the local hospital as a nurse assistant nearly every evening. On September 3, 1947, Marjorie married her high school sweetheart, Einar Roget, who survived World War II as a Private First Class in the Marine Corps. They left Wisconsin, and after Einar went to college due to the GI Bill and Marjorie's earnings as a waitress at the Bluebird Restaurant, they began a life dedicated to public service and family, welcoming their only child, Janet Roget, in 1953. As Einar moved up the ranks of the U.S. Forest Service and Soil Conservation Service, they lived in Utah, Idaho, Massachusetts, California, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Virginia. Marjorie and Einar had a remarkable partnership. Marjorie ensured that each home was filled with as much love as the previous one. She worked tirelessly during the week so that they had the weekends for outdoor, family activities. Her outgoing, gregarious spirit made it easy to meet people in each new place, and it helped Einar to become the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Marjorie and Einar lived a good life. They watched Janet graduate from college, marry, and have two sons. After Einar's retirement, Marjorie and Einar moved to Durango, Colorado, and then crisscrossed the country in a motor home for five years after Einar was diagnosed with prostate cancer. They moved to Little Rock to be closer to Janet and their two grandsons. Marjorie was made to be a grandmother. "Granny," as she was known, was a constant presence in her grandsons' lives. She showered them with love, and they revered her. After Einar died in 1989, Marjorie remained in Little Rock. In 1993, she married William "Bill" Johnson. They lived happily until Bill's death in 2000. Marjorie spent her remaining years surrounded by family and friends. Less than two months ago, on September 3, Marjorie attended her eldest grandson's wedding in Boston, Mass. – on the same day, 69 years earlier, that she had married Einar. Marjorie is survived by her daughter, Janet Roget, and Janet's husband, Jimmy Weisman; her grandson, Peter Shults, and his wife, Amanda Orcutt; her grandson, John Shults; and her former son-in-law, Steve Shults. Most importantly, she is survived by the kindness that she showed everyone around her and instilled in those close to her. She may not have been the richest, most famous, or best-educated person in the world, but she was the warmest and kindest. And that may be the highest compliment a person can receive. She lived a full and happy life. A memorial service will take place on Sunday, October 23, at 1 p.m. at the chapel at Parkway Village, 14300 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark., where Marjorie lived for the past 23 years.