Marguerite E. Smith, 67, of Parsippany, N.J., passed away on Tuesday, May 7. Marguerite was born on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on Jan. 27, 1957, to parents Annie I. Smith and Leroy V. Smith. She was the third of seven children, and was affectionately known to family and close friends as “Meg.”
Marguerite is survived by her husband, George E. Dredden III, two daughters: Alexis Dredden (and fiancé Eric Matulsky) and Mikaela Dredden; siblings: LeRoy Smith (partner Karen Clarke), Diana Smith (husband Gregory Stewart), Jeffrey Smith (wife Valerie), Gary Smith, Juel Smith (husband Ronald Norton); aunts: Doris Scatliffe (husband Ickford Scatliffe) and Bernice Hall; uncle, George Claudius Smith; and seven nieces: Nailah Short, Ayanna Conley, Breanna Stewart, Kanisha Smith, Alana Norton, Alyshea Smith and Krista Norton.
She was also survived by sister-in-law, Angela Dredden; brother-in-law, and Patrick Dredden and wife Debra; sister-in-law, Romona Smith (Gregory)l as well as many other close cousins, great niece, great-nephews and friends.
Marguerite was preceded in death by parents: Leroy V. Smith and Annie I. Smith; brother, Gregory V. Smith; mother and father-in-law: Ruth C. Dredden and George E. Dredden Jr.
Upon graduation from Cornell University, Marguerite built a career in the insurance industry managing and directing multiple divisions including Claims, Underwriting, and Worker’s Compensation, most recently with AXA XL Reinsurance of America Inc.
Marguerite was passionately involved with community service organizations. She was a member of the Morris County N.J. Chapter of The Links Inc., where she served as rituals chair and Health and Human Services co-chair, and played a significant role in the annual Community Health Fair. She was also a member of the African American Wellness Coalition, and a past member of the Morris County Chapter of Jack & Jill of America Inc., serving as a chapter lead teen sponsor/advisor and member of numerous fundraising committees.
Marguerite was a devoted and committed congregant of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Mountain Lakes, N.J., where she served in multiple lay leadership capacities, including vestry, finance committee, altar guild, Sunday school and youth ministries. In addition, Marguerite was involved with the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, serving most recently on the Diocesan Council and as president of the Union of Black Episcopalians, Newark Chapter.
Marguerite is remembered as a caring, giving, loving, no-nonsense “can-do” person who quickly got to the heart of the matter and immersed herself in whatever endeavor she undertook.
When it came to family, there was no one more thoughtful, dedicated and supportive than Marguerite. She always showed love and concern, and yet had the innate ability to pose the most difficult questions that no one else dare ask. Her genuine, loving and pragmatic personality, with just a spritz of wild, will touch our hearts forever.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 19, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Rowe Funeral Home, 71 Washington Street, Morristown, N.J. The service to celebrate the life of Marguerite will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, at Trinity and St. Philip’s Cathedral, 608 Broad St., Newark, N.J. The service will be live-streamed at: https://youtube.com/c/dionewark/. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Marguerite’s memory may be made to the Scholarship Fund of the Union of Black Episcopalians, Newark Chapter, or to the George and Ruth Dredden Scholarship Fund, the Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Md. 21701.
