Margery Ruth VanderPloeg, age 90, died on August 30, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Helen (Prince) VanderPloeg.

Marge was raised in Grand Rapids and graduated from Calvin College in 1953. Following that, she graduated with a master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan in 1955.

Margery worked in Chicago for three years, returning to Grand Rapids to work in child welfare at Bethany Christian Services where she opened that agency's first branch office in New Jersey in 1960. After 10 years with Bethany, she returned to work as a clinical social worker for Family Service. She helped many families and earned the respect of her peers. She served in leadership roles, both in her agency and in the community and was an early member of the Michigan Board of Examiners for Social Workers. She took great satisfaction in supervising graduate students as a field instructor for many different universities. She helped where she was needed.

After retirement Marge remained active and continued to contribute to her community.

A woman of strong faith, she was a lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church, worshipping and serving at Bethel CRC, Roosevelt Park CRC, and most recently as a member of Woodlawn CRC. She was an active member of the Women's City Club again serving in leadership roles and helping where needed. One of her great joys was being instrumental in establishing the Sweet House Foundation, which provided financial stability to one of Grand Rapid's historic houses.

Marge is survived by the positive impacts she had on her clients, co-workers, students, friends, her community and by her chosen family: Shelley (Mark) Evenhouse, Steve (Lisa) Timmer, Scott (Julie) Timmer, Larry (Ardis) Timmer, and Shirley Timmer.

A memorial Service will be held in the Chapel at Breton Terrace, 2500 Breton Woods Dr., Kentwood, MI 49512, on Monday, September 12, at 11 AM. Pastor Mike Abma of Woodlawn CRC officiating.

Memorial contributions in Marge's memory may be made to either Calvin University or the Sweet House Foundation.