Marjorie Elizabeth McPherson Chamberlin Cerio, of Oneida

ONEIDA>> Marjorie Elizabeth McPherson Chamberlin Cerio, born March 20, 1926 in Utica, N.Y., passed into Eternal Life on Thursday, March 16, 2017, in Utica, N.Y., to join her parents, William Hakes McPherson and Mildred Catherine Preston McPherson; her brothers, William Hakes McPherson Jr. and Roy Preston McPherson; her first husband and father of their children, George Edward Chamberlin; her second husband, Alexander A. Cerio.

Survivors include: children, Cherry Chamberlin Foster of Vestal, N.Y., Dr. Masha/ Molly Chamberlin Belyavski Frank of Indianapolis, Ind., George Chamberlin (Denise) of Richmond, Va., and RET Army Colonel Brooks Chamberlin of Annapolis, Md.; as well as her nephew, Douglas R. McPherson of Port Matilda, Pa. Marjorie is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Shannon Kristen Foster Karski (Matt) and their sons Hayden Matthew Karski and Nolan Joseph Karski; Erin Nikkole Foster (John O’Neill); Sean Kirk Foster (Nicole) and their sons Connor Patrick Foster and Gavin Michael Foster; George Kent Chamberlin (Christina) and sons Noah George Chamberlin, Leland George Chamberlin, Emiliano George Chamberlin, Roman George Chamberlin and David George Chamberlin; and Grant Leland Chamberlin.

Marjorie graduated from Plattsburgh High School in 1943, bachelor’s degree from Simmons College, Boston, Mass., in 1947, master’s degree from Syracuse University in 1964. She was an elementary school teacher in the Canastota Central Schools for 23 years, teaching third and fourth grade, as well as the Title 1 Reading Program. She held honorary memberships in the NYS Parent Teachers Association, Canastota Canal Town Museum, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Friends of the Canastota Public Library and A Harmony of Harps.

Her love of music and teaching filled every moment of her life – from violin lessons at the age of four, to playing (violin) with her brother (cello) and the Plattsburgh symphony at the age of seven, to numerous singing and acting roles throughout her school years. In her retirement, she discovered the joy of harp playing. She helped co-found The Harmony of Harps (still very active today) with harpists from seven to 77. She composed music and wrote new words to old music and shared them with anyone and everyone. There is probably a copy of “I’m Not Perfect” in all of her doctors’ offices. Marjorie loved sharing her harp and violin music with all ages and settings, from churches to nursing homes to hospital bedsides.

A celebration of the life of Marjorie Cerio will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 24, 2017, at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James St., Canastota. The Rev. Charlie F. Vollmer, pastor of the United Church of Canastota, will officiate. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 10 a.m. until the start of the service. Spring burial will be in Lenox Rural Cemetery, Canastota, among many generations of McPhersons. In her memory, contributions may be made to Project Hope, PO Box 5029, Hagerstown, MD, 217415029, or to Angel Harps, PO Box 333, Mount Laguna, CA 91918, with envelopes available at the funeral home.

J. HOMER BALL FUNERAL HOME, INC. Canastota, NY A Trust 100 Family Owned Funeral Home