Wife of Ben Kemper • 50th anniversary memorial

Margie (Nast) Kemper

April 19, 1936 -May 19, 1968

Margie was raised in Bay Shore, NY, along with sisters Betty Jo, Gladys, Betsy and Carol. She attended college in Potsdam, where she made President’s Honor List seven times as well as earned entry into the prestigious Kappa Delta Pi, joined clubs and organizations, and made many friends as a member of the Agonian sorority.

After graduation with a Bachelor’s of Science degree, she taught fifth grade at Bay Shore Junior High, and later was a substitute teacher.

She married high school sweetheart Ben Kemper in 1959. They had five kids in five years, living in New Jersey for a while before settling in Sayville on Long Island.

It’s hard to think of or find a photo of Margie not laughing of smiling.

She was loved. A lot. And at age 32, left us all too soon.

The Kemper children pose with their father, Benny Kemper, and their step-brother, Tek Kemper, during a celebration of life for their late mother, Margie Kemper, on Sunday, July 22, 2018, on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Friends and family of Ben and Margie Kemper met in Hilton Head to celebrate the life of Margie, a SUNY Potsdam graduate and member of AGO, who passed away in the prime of her life 50 years ago. Their children, extended families, friends and fraternity brothers were on hand to join Benny for the occasion. Those who could not attend sent photos and letters of their fond memories.

“After Margie died, a doctor’s advice was to remove all photos, clothes, and all evidence that she existed - including never mentioning her again - because it would be easier for the children.
And that’s what happened.
Today, 50 years later, we remember.”