Marjorie Jane Hackbarth
Marjorie Jane Hackbarth, a lifetime resident of Meriden, died on February 7, 2008 at the MidState Medical Center. She was 90 years old and had been living at the Meriden Care Center. Marjorie was born in Meriden on August 27, 1917. Her parents were Otto John Hackbarth and Ada Drucquer Hackbarth. She attended Meriden Schools and graduated from the Teachers College of Connecticut, now Central Connecticut State University. She also studied abroad as a Fulbright Scholar. Marjorie taught history, government, science and civics in the Meriden School System from 1942 to 1979. Most people of a certain age living in Meriden were taught by Marjorie and recall her as being a tough teacher. She spent her summers seeing the world, traveling and bird watching in over 125 countries. She also went to the Arctic and Antarctica. She was an avid hiker, backpacker and bicyclist. She hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail and climbed all 18 4, 000-foot peaks in Maine and Vermont. An opera fan, Marjorie loved to attend performances of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She led the Great Books Club at the Meriden Library and was a member of many organizations, including the Green Mountain Club, life long member of the American Youth Hostel, and numerous bird clubs. Marjorie was predeceased by two brothers, Irving and Warren Hackbarth. She is survived by two nieces, Holly Hackbarth and Jamie Hackbarth. Friends and cousins who made personal contributions to Marjorie's life include cousins Richard Hackbarth, Bonny Robinson Cook and special long-time friends Stephen Lipensky, Eleanor Bielek and Katie Meyers. Many others in her clubs could be considered as special friends as well.
I had the pleasure of having been in Miss Hackbarth’s Ancient History class at Platt High School. She was one tough teacher, but at 52-years old, I still remember many of the things she taught me. She was a wonderful teacher.