10/6/1930—5/22/2023
How do you sum up a person's life. Words fails to capture all that she was: like a photograph never captures one's personality. Marge was a private person, who warmed to you as she got more acquainted with you. She was elegant, reserved, smart and had an excellent sense of asthetics. I learned the skill of conversation from listening to her, and the many hours we got to talk over the years.
She was born in Manhattan, NYC. She came from a mixed heritage: English on her father's side and Chinese on her mother's side. Both parents were from Trinidad, British West Indies. She was estranged early from her father, Richard Seymour. Her mother, Myra Corsbie, struggled to raise her and Nikki, her sister. Myra arrived to New York as a late-teenager, and she was unskilled, and listed stenographer on the ship manifest. Myra had to send Marge and Nikki back to Trinidad with family for a period of time when they were young. Later, back in New York City, she was raised by uncle Jack and aunt Hester. In spite all these disadvantages, Marge married Mike Rosteing, raised three children, supported Mike through medical school by "counting pennies," and was forced to drop out of college after her first year. She had a full scholarship to Hunter College; however, she could not afford the books. Then in the 1970s, she managed to complete her education at Daemen College, majoring in Fine Arts. She even had to pass calculus, a subject that she abhorred. She became an accomplished artist and concert pianist. She and Mike managed to pull themselves out of poverty and build a beutiful home, family, and a wonderful life.
She superceded tragedy: the difficulty of becoming independent at a young age, surviving a terrible motor vehicle accident when I was about 9 years old, and overcoming several medical illnesses. But she persevered, living to 92 years of age. In the end she contracted colon cancer, and chose to die with dignity: at home with hospice. Kim was able to honor her wishes. I am indebted to Kim, my sister, for taking care of both Mike and Marge at the end of their lives.
Fortunately, I had a chance in late March to travel to Williamsville, NY, to visit with her one last time. She only had a few good hours, but it was sufficient. Likewise, Andre, Becky, Eva and Monique managed the trip. Unfortunately, Amy could not make it: Lynn stayed with her back in Green Bay, WI during a difficult illness. Nonetheless, Marge stole her moment to see Eva, her only grandchild, only weeks before her death. This filled her with joy—Eva's middle name!
Marge is survived by her son, Kevin Peter, her daughter, Kim Marie, her grandchildren: Andre Michael and Monique Patrice; her respective grandchildren-in-laws: Becky Lynn and JC, and her great granddaughter: Eva Joy.
Mom, I miss you already.
—Kevin Rosteing
Marjorie Helen Rosteing, of Williamsville, New York, was born October 6th, 1930, in Manhattan NY as the eldest daughter to the late Walter and Myra Seymour. She attended the prestigious Juilliard School in Manhattan to perfect her plano skills, and had a solo performance in her senior year at Carnegie Hall. On July 5th, 1952, she entered into marriage with Horace Michael Rosteing and started a family, raising two boys and a daughter. They moved to Buffalo in 1962 where Horace started a successful career in medicine.
Known as "Marge" to her friends, she became a successful teacher in the Buffalo public school system, and offered private lessons in piano and art. She eventually received her degree in fine arts from Daemen College in Buffalo. Marjorie was a member of the Western New York Artists group, the Amherst Society of Artists, and a number of social community groups in the area.
Marjorie's work has been exhibited in Western New York, New York City, Washington, DC, and Toronto Canada. She has also offered her work to various charity fundraisers. Her work and piano playing can be enjoyed on the Youtube channel kimmers817, lovingly put together by her daughter Kim.
Marjorie will be remembered fondly for her mastery of art and piano, and her wit, grace, and subtle sense of humor. She loved her studio, piano, family, shopping, nature and walks in the area parks.
Marjorie is survived by her daughter Kim, son Kevin, grandson Andre, granddaughter Monique, and great granddaughter Eva.
—Kim & Amy Rosteing
Presented by Kevin Rosteing during Marge’s memorial service on July 17, 2023 at Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 317 Leroy Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214
How do you measure success?
Success in life can be measured in separate ways.
As with intelligence, success cannot always be measured in parameters or data. In my mother’s case, no matter what metric is used, she was successful.
My mother accomplished many things in her lifetime. She excelled in her education. She became a classic pianist in highschool. She raised three accomplished children. She maintained a beautiful household. She had a wonderful marriage. She prepared great meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas. But the most impressive measure of success was the fact that as a child, she started out in life with so many obstacles. She had so many disadvantages that success was not guaranteed.
Both of her parents were immigrants from Port of Spain, Trinidad. My mother, Marge, had a dead beat dad. Her mother had few skills and very little income. As a child, my mother was passed off to other family members. She was sent back to Trinidad and Tobago to spend time with other relatives because Myra, her mother, could not afford to care for her and her sister, Nikki. When she returned to Manhattan, NY, she was raised by Uncle Jack and Aunt Hester, who treated her more as an indentured servant than a family member.
She was given a full scholarship to Hunter College, but she could not afford to pay for her text books, so she was forced to drop out. She married young, as a way to break out from her miserable family and had to work diligently to support her husband through medical school. She mentioned to me how she had to “count pennies” to get by. While still young, she survived a terrible car accident which left her with facial scars and poor vision in one eye. However, in spite of all these difficulties, in her 40s, she completed her college studies (in Fine Arts) at Daemon College in Buffalo, NY.
Yes, my mother was a success in life. She was modest; however, she taught by example. Much of what I owe in life can be traced directly to my mother. I shall always love her—as shall we all.
My mother’s death was preceded by the death of her Husband, Mike, about a decade ago; by the death of her sister, Nikki, about a year ago, and by her son, Gary, about four decades ago. She is survived by myself, my sister, Kim, by her grandchildren, Andre & Monique, and by her great grandchild, Eva Joy, who she had a chance to meet for the first time about a month before her passing. I thank Andre, Becky, Monique, and all who spent time in her last few weeks on this earth, in her home, just before she died. I thank Kim, who has spent countless hours, weeks, and years, taking care of her and my father so that each could die at home with dignity.
We love you, Mom!
—Kevin Rosteing
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Marge H Rosteing: Click here
Horace M Rosteing MD: Click here
Mike from Buffalo Evening News: Click here
Allan P Rosteing: Click here
Arline "Nikki" Wilson: Click here
Gary M Rosteing: Click here
Cards from family & friends: Click here
Comments on FaceBook & eMail: Click here