Marjorie (Main) Penstone Gamble

How many people live to be 100 years old? Not many. But Marge defied the odds to become a centenarian. It was one of her proudest achievements.

Marjorie (Main) Penstone Gamble peacefully passed away at Barry Healthcare and Senior Living on May 28, 2025. She was born on April 26, 1925, to Helen Yakley Main and Archie Clyde Main. She often spoke of the hills of Nebo, Illinois, her birthplace and childhood home, where she rode her pony, Billie, and played in the creek on her walks home from Franklin School. Her parents and siblings, Gerald, Geraldine (Hill), Dora Lee (Stauffer), and Erma (Cull/Bethard), all deceased, moved to Pittsfield in later grade school years. Marjorie attended Historic East School and was a 1942 graduate of Pittsfield Higbee High School, being the last living student to pass through those hallowed halls. She was a tried-and-true Pittsfield Saukee. Mom told us about teasing her future husband, our dad, Carl Penstone, in the school library, calling him Penny Penstone. “He didn’t pay any attention to me!” They later reconnected and were married in 1947. Born to that union were Julie Penstone Myers (David) of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, and Lisa Penstone Leahy (Dr. Timothy) of Pittsfield, Illinois. They survive.

In her younger years, Marjorie worked at the Pike County Abstract Office, Wade Furniture Store, and Kopp’s Lumber Company, and was the secretary for the Griggsville School District. She was proud of her mastery of shorthand and bookkeeping skills. She was a “Businesswoman” before the word was invented.

Marjorie and Carl married in 1947 and spent many adventurous years together until he passed in 1983. They owned and operated Penstone Orchards in Mt. Sterling, Pittsfield, and Griggsville, where they operated a retail establishment and sold wholesale to Kroger grocery outlets. Folks enjoyed free cider and apples at their store, the Griggsville Apple Festival, and school functions. They were pleased to share their products and hear customers brag about the quality. Marge and Carl loved boating and fishing. They belonged to the Pittsfield and Griggsville Dance Clubs, and Marge always had a beautiful outfit with matching accessories. While living in Griggsville, Marge was active in Eastern Star, Pike County Home Extension, Griggsville school functions, and attended St. James Episcopal Church. She tucked her allegiance to the Saukees in her back pocket and cheered for the Griggsville Tornadoes and Eagles, while her kids were in school. After Carl passed in 1983, Marjorie sold the orchard and moved back to Pittsfield. She accepted the position of Social Services Director at the local nursing home and dearly loved the residents. 

Marjorie was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Pittsfield, where she was involved in many activities. She married Clarence (Sam) Gamble, a good church friend in 1987. Sunday drives and lunch buffets, with fried chicken, were fun times for Marge. She and Sam traveled the country, from Niagara Falls to California, while she documented every city and route taken in her “little black book” of adventures. She was a great cook and loved to cut out and save recipes, most she never tried. She always returned to the old standards, passed down by her mother, Helen.

After twice widowed, in 2019, Grandma Gamble moved to Arizona for about 2 years, where she lived near her much-loved grandchildren, Audrey Myers, Benjamin (Allie) Myers, and Quinn Leahy (often calling Quinn her boyfriend.) She was blessed to hug her great-grandson, Miles Myers, nearly every day.

After moving back to Pike County in 2021, she settled at Barry Healthcare and Senior Living, where she considered the residents and employees a part of her extended family. Near the end, she told Julie, “Tell all these girls I love them.”

Marge also loved her extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews and looked forward to a family reunion each year. She considered Dorothy Akin, her first cousin, to be her best friend. Dorothy is now the family Matriarch.  Mom loved a good joke and was an avid reader at 100 years of age. John Grisham was her favorite author. She liked “hard” books like Pillars of the Earth, and reviewed some books as being silly or trashy. Marjorie loved animals. Listening to bluegrass, Elvis, and Anne Murray made her smile. One of her greatest honors was being a bridesmaid for Audrey’s wedding to Weverton Santana in the fall of 2024.

Marge was perky and knowledgeable about the news until near the end. She once said she thought she could be President, and we think she would have been a good one. In her life, she got things done. Mom didn’t like a fuss. She wanted it simple and was a private person. There will be no formal visitation. A family graveside service is being planned. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church Youth Group of Pittsfield or the Pike County Animal Shelter. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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