PIERPONT, Marion E. (Sheldon) 1927-2011
PIERPONT, GAITHER, SHELDON, CLEMENTS, MOELLERING, OSTRUM
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/12/2012 at 17:49:48
[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, December 18, 2011]
Marion Sheldon Pierpont, C.S.B.
Marion Sheldon Pierpont, C.S.B., of Des Moines, formerly of Cedar Falls, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, in Chestnut Hill, Mass., with family at her side.
She was born and raised in Garnett, Kan., the beloved daughter of Emmor Russell ("Tom") and Ethel Gaither Sheldon, and little sister of Joe, Emmor and Bob. After high school, she studied journalism at the University of Kansas, but left after two years when her father died. She secured a job teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Kansas, where some of the oldest farm boys towered over their young teacher.
In 1947, Marion married Richard Calvert Pierpont, a young businessman who had recently served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as the commander of a PT boat in the South Pacific. Marion and Cal settled first in Independence, Kan., where he managed one of the "Calverts" department stores owned by his family in southeastern Kansas, and she stayed home with the first of their three children.
The family moved to Cedar Falls in 1957; and when her youngest child started school, Marion returned to college, earning a B.A. in Elementary Education from the State College of Iowa. For 10 years she happily taught first grade in the Cedar Falls public schools - she always enjoyed little children, and they returned her affection.
Sadly, her only son, Richard Calvert Pierpont Jr., passed on in 1968. While still teaching, Marion was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis, which restricted her movement and made it difficult to continue her work. She sought help in Christian Science, and was healed.Marion went on to become a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, first in Cedar Falls, where she was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, and later in Des Moines. For three years she served as the Second Reader of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. She was appointed to the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, traveling with Calvert to many parts of the world to share a message of hope and healing based on the teachings of Christ Jesus. Later the couple returned to their home in Des Moines, where they were reunited with friends and neighbors. Her beloved husband of 55 years passed on in 2002.
Marion will be remembered by her friends, students and family for her unfailing generosity, her buoyant good humor, her loving grace and kindness. She had a beautiful singing voice, was an accomplished pianist, a lover of classical music, and a great supporter of the Des Moines Symphony. She enjoyed wildlife and camping, bicycling and swimming, fine art and flowers. And she cherished her family.
Marion is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Rebecca and Andrew Clements of Westborough, Mass., and Julie and Eric Pierpont of Petoskey, Mich. She is dearly loved by her six grandchildren: Matthew Pierpont and his wife Maria, John Clements and his wife Kristen Hoops, Jocelyn Moellering and her husband Dan, Nathaniel Clements, Charles Clements and George Clements. Three great-grandsons complete the family: Owen and Wesley Moellering and Lucas Pierpont. Marion's nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her close sister-in-law, Sarepta Pierpont Ostrum, are precious to her.
A memorial service will be held at the Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. Contributions in Marion's name may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Des Moines, the Des Moines Symphony, and the Des Moines Art Center. The family wishes to thank all the neighbors and friends who loved and supported Marion throughout her life.
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SSDI shows her date of birth as: Tuesday May 17, 1927
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