Marie Peckham

CUYAHOGA FALLS -Marie Jane Peckham passed away February 6, 2011. Mrs. Peckham served in the United States Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant during World War II teaching Link Trainers to Marine Corps Corsair Pilots (flying by instruments). She also taught plane and ship recognition. She attended Akron University and taught school at Sacred Heart Academy when it was located on Broadway in Akron and was also a graduate of Actual Business College. She had been Mayor Harding A. Wichert's Secretary when the City Building moved from Front and Broad Blvd. to Second St. She was the First Clerk of Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court, setting up and organizing the Clerk's office and the Court, with assistance of Harold Graham, first bailiff of the Court. She was also the first Records and Personnel officer of the City of Cuyahoga Falls in 1960, organizing the office from its inception when we became a chartered city.

Marie was an active member of Pilgrim United Church of Christ, serving on many boards and committees and the Women's Fellowship. She was member of the Marine Corps League-Chesty Puller Detachment and Life Member 2nd Marine Division Assn. She was also a member of the Falls Chapter 245 OES, Summit County Historical Society, Stan Hywet, International Institute Women's Aux, Salvation Army Women's Aux, Cuyahoga Falls Senior Golf League, BBC Bridge Club, Friends of Taylor Library. She was also a member and past president of Cuyahoga Falls Woman's Club and chair of the Bowling Section and Travel Section and a former 32 year member and past president of Soroptimist Club of Akron and a former braillist (Books in Congressional Library).

Marie was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada and lived all her life in Akron and Cuyahoga Falls graduating from North High School.
Marie and her husband Jack along with others were members of the original committee who started the Octoberfest. This committee used their own money for tents, beer wagons, bands, food, etc. gambling for success, which it was and the Octoberfest continues bigger and better to this day.

Preceded in death by her loving and loved husband, Jack; mother and father, Lillian and Bert Cascioli and brother Alan and his wife, Evelyn, she is survived by many beloved cousins and friends and last but not least her "adopted" son and daughter, Rich and Kris Gill. They were God's gift to her after the death of her husband, Jack.

Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, Feb. 9 in The Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home 1930 Front St. Cuyahoga Falls. A Committal Service is scheduled for 2:30 pm Thursday, Feb 10 in Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum Chapel with Military Rites by American Legion Charles Faust Post 281 Honor Guard. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 4:00 pm Thursday, Feb. 10 in Pilgrim United Church of Christ 130 Broad Blvd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, Pastor Kirk Bruce officiating. In lieu of other remembrances, memorials may be made to Pilgrim United Church of Christ or your favorite charity. Arrangements handled by Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 330-928-2147.