Marjorie M. Roklan

Newport, RI - Marjorie M. Jones Roklan, 82, of Newport, RI, formerly of Harbor House In Newport, and Manchester, NH from 1944-2002, passed away Monday, October 30, 2006 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. She was the wife of the late John Stephen Roklan. Born in Leyton, London, England, on February 16, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Daniel and Florence Nichols Jones.Marjorie grew up in London during the world depression, was an athlete and noted by her teachers for her determination and loyalty. At the outset of the Second World War, Marjorie surreptitiously left her position as a uniform seamstress to join the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service, providing civil defense support services to Air Raid causalities, notably during the Blitz of London. Marjorie came to America aboard the Queen Mary to start a new life in America, as bride to Army Sgt. John Roklan residing in Manchester, NH. After the birth of her first of three sons, John in 1945, Marjorie was employed at Foster Beef Company, later M. M. Mades, spending most of her working life there. Marjorie became a United States citizen in 1952. Sons Paul and Robert were born in 1955 and 1958 respectively. In 1983 Marjorie received her general education degree. Also in 1983, Marjorie began a rewarding volunteer position at Easter Seals of New Hampshire as an assistant to the teacher of severely physically handicapped preschool children for more than ten years, performing tasks from snack preparation to diapering, and from assisting in swim lessons to individual tutoring. Marjorie was commended for her warmth, devotion, and tireless efforts, receiving a distinguished Warren A. Bodwell Award for significant contributions to the agency through volunteer service.Marjorie leaves behind three sons, John Douglas Roklan and his wife Suzanne of Portsmouth, RI, SFC Paul Roklan, US Army, of Springfield, IL and Robert Roklan of Newport, RI. She was the sister of Gladys, Thomas, Bob, Ronald and Reginald all Jones, and the late Ivy Jones. Marjorie was the grandmother to three grandchildren, Thomas Roklan, Amanda Jalbert and Peter Roklan and great grandmother to Catherine and Henry Jalbert. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at 9:00am, from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Anthony?s Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Pauls Churchyard in Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Easter Seals of New Hampshire and Vermont, 555 Auburn Street, Manchester, NH 03103.