Margaret "Midge" Strnad Black of Oak Park Terrace, Vero Beach, passed away on August 5, 2013, at the Grace Rehabilitation Center of Vero Beach.
She was born December 10, 1922 in Chicago, IL, and lived in Fox River Grove, IL, for 20 years before entering the US Marine Corps during WWII on March 1, 1943. She was one of the first Women Marines and had many amusing tales about what it was like before there were female officers. After boot camp at Hunter College, NY, and further training at Indiana University, she was stationed at the Marine Corps Aviation Base in Cherry Point, NC, and worked in confidential files. She was honorably discharged October 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. In Cherry Point she met her favorite Master Sergeant, Bus E. Black, to whom she was married for 53 years. For 23 years, they lived and worked in the Jamestown - High Point, NC area before moving to Vero Beach in 1969. They enjoyed the "Florida good life": beach combing, boating, and golfing.
In Vero, Midge was employed by Coldwell Banker Ed Schlitt, and retired after twenty years as Office Coordinator in 1989. She enjoyed her job and maintained relationships with her co-workers for many years. She was a charter member and officer of the Women Marines Association Florida Chapter 10 and a member of the US Marine Corps Auxiliary. Her name appears on a plaque at the Women in Military Service for America' Memorial Foundation in Arlington, VA. For over 20 years, she volunteered for the Indian River Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Most Saturdays she could be found dressed in pink at the IRHC Thrift Store on 14th Ave. Her last day as a volunteer was just six weeks before she passed away. She was a 52 year member of Beta Sigma Phi International, a women's social, cultural, and service organization. At Oak Park Terrace Condominiums where she resided, she served the association as Vice President, a member of the Social Committee, and as assistant Treasurer. In 2012, she was awarded the Daisy Close Service Award' for meritorious service to the association. Midge was a Notary Public for many years, and performed several marriages on the beach for friends. She was a staunch supporter of the Vero Beach Theatre Guild and was a season ticket holder. During her long and productive life, she was fortunate to have had many wonderful friends and neighbors.
Midge will be missed by her two daughters, Candace Black-Schaefer (Verlyn), Libertyville, IL; and Dr. Kimberly Hendrix (James), Concord, NC; one sister, Jeanne Marie Schneider (Denver, CO); and 3 grandchildren, Lauren Nicole Schaefer, Sarah Rachel Hendrix, and Matthew Grant Hendrix. Grandma "Bee", the family is sending out a 21 gun salute to you!
In accordance with Midge's wishes, there will be no services. Midge's and her husband's ashes will be housed in the columbarium at the South Florida VA National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.
Memorial contributions may be made to Women's Memorial Foundation, Dept. 560, Washington, DC 20042-0560.