Marjorie Pauline Schaiff's Obituary
On July 15th, 2025, Marjorie Pauline (Falke) Schaiff, 91, passed away peacefully in the presence of family, rejoining her beloved husband, Bill, in heaven.
Marj Schaiff brought light and humor to all that knew her—a light that will live on in her family and friends for generations to come. Born an only daughter amongst four older and one younger brother, Marj was always up for adventure. Growing up playing with her brothers in the Swope Park woods behind their Kansas City home, she grew to love the outdoors and spending time either observing (or, on occasion, causing,) mischief.
After graduating from Southwest High School in 1952, Marj took her first job first at KCP&L and later became one of the first people trained as key-punch operators by IBM to input numbers into their room-sized computers. Much to her later (humored) chagrin, she would tell the story of turning down the opportunity to purchase IBM stock as an employee.
In 1955, Marjorie attended a card party with some friends where she met William (Bill) Schaiff. Later that year, they married, after which she continued working until they had their first child. As pregnant women were not allowed in the workplace, Marjorie noted she and her coworkers wore loose clothing to hide a pregnancy until they no longer could. Then one day, they would arrive at work in maternity clothes and conspiratorial coworkers greeted them with a baby shower/going away party!
In 1958, Marjorie and Bill welcomed their first child, Tammy, and in 1960, their son, Tim. Noting how well-served Kansas City was when it came to dentistry, Marj and Bill chose to build their practice in a town where they would be more needed, and the family moved to Columbus, KS in 1963. Using drafting skills learned in high school, Marjorie then drafted the blueprints for the home they would build and share for the next 60 years, where where she worked for 56 years as the manager and dental assistant in their dental practice.
For 20 years, Marjorie’s husband served as the mayor of Columbus, KS. Being the mayor’s wife came with many perks—the ability to pick out carpet colors for the newly built city hall, constant activities and events, and, when Bill refused to ride in the hot air balloons during city festivities due to a back problem (yellow streak) Marj immediately volunteered to take his place!! She was also a member of a “girls club” which met monthly to eat, drink, and (maybe) play games for over 50 years – a wonderful group of amazing friends.
As she grew older, Marjorie continued to care for and worry about others—citing that God tells us we should lift others up. She was a non-judgemental sounding board for her nieces and nephews, and was always there to help others in any way she could. She often required a reminder that she had taken care of her family, now it was time for her family to take care of her. Each reminder was answered with a smile, laugh, and agreement—shortly followed by yet another attempt from Marjorie to care for your needs.
Living closer to family for the last two years of her life, Marjorie enjoyed flower shopping, trips to the zoo, and attending church events with her granddaughter. The life of the party, she was known at her living facility for dancing, singing, laughing, and spreading light at every opportunity. When her husband passed away in May 2024, she was by his side, holding his hand.
In January, Marjorie travelled with Tim, Robyn and her granddaughter, Lindsay, to Cat Island Bahamas. She was on the deck overlooking the beach nearly every waking minute and even enjoyed wading in the waves. On the last Friday of the visit, Marj attended live music night at the local dive resort and danced with any willing partner for over 90 minutes - not bad for a 90 year-old.
Marj loved being a grandmother—and would be a grandmother to anyone in the vicinity. To be with Marjorie was to be taken care of, thought of, prayed for, and loved. Her positivity, humor and light will leave a hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, but her legacy lives on in the lives and memories of those whose lives she touched.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents Eddie W and Aileen (Allen) Falke, Her brothers Eddie, Eldon, Lowell, LeRoy and Larry Falke and her husband of 68 years, William (Bill) Schaiff. She is survived by her daughter, Tammy (Mike) Lovejoy of Carbondale, Kansas and W. Timothy (Robyn) Schaiff of Chesterfield Missouri, four grandchildren, Paul (Laura) Schaiff of Ballwin, Missouri, Katie (Johnny) Coker of Morton, Illinois, Libby Schaiff of Chesterfield, MO and Lindsay Lovejoy of Lenexa, Kansas and two great grandchildren, Eva and Isla Schaiff of Ballwin, Missouri.
An informal service of prayer and remembrance will be held Saturday, July 19th at 10 am at the graveside, Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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