Marge was born in Staten Island, New York. Much of her early childhood was spent in the company of her beloved maternal grandmother, Cecile Jones. They especially enjoyed getting dressed up, which for a little girl in those days would mean putting on a dress and accessorizing with a hat, gloves, and patent-leather shoes with lace socks. Can't you just see it? Holding Nanny's hand, little Margie visited the movie house for the latest picture show, then indulged in an ice cream with her adoring and attentive grandmother.

At the age of 9 years, little Margie found out that her stepfather had taken a job in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her school friends teased her (or did they actually believe it?) that the wild natives were gonna get her. I remember marveling upon hearing such a tale, but she assured me that she believed them. Imagine her relief to find out that Tulsa wasn't an uncivilized little town on the prairie.

Marge attended Edison High School and graduated in 1960. When she met a young man from rival high school, Tulsa Rogers, she was smitten. James Hunter Tighe (the first!) soon asked for her hand, and they were married on St. Patrick's Day, 1962. As Jim was Catholic, they actually had to request special permission to marry on an official "Saint's Day". Permission was granted, and the ceremonial mass was performed with family and friends in attendance.

Jim was accepted into Oklahoma State University as a Mechanical Engineering student, and Marge worked as the secretary to the University President for approximately two years... until she found out she was expecting. James Hunter Tighe, II (not Junior!) was born to them in Stillwater, while Jim was still an undergrad. Marge didn't want to give up her job that she liked so much, but it was culturally expected that a woman in her condition wouldn't work, so she stayed home until after Jamie was born. Fortunately, in a college town, childcare wasn't difficult to find, so she did go back to work until Jim received his Engineering Degree.

Following Jim's graduation, Marge's little family moved back to Tulsa where Jim worked as Chief Engineer at Kentube for several years. During this time, their second child, Julie Anne, was born. The family also moved from their home just off Brookside into the home in South Tulsa where Marge lived the rest of her life. It was so far out in the country that horses grazed in the fields behind their fence. You might be surprised to hear that this house is situated near the intersection of 71st and Memorial.

Jim resigned his position at Kentube in order to start his own engineering firm with business partner, Charlie Green... that company was called E-Tech, Inc., and is still in business with customers and equipment all over the world. Marge served the company in various capacities, over the years.

While Jim worked to build the company, Marge stayed home with the children and crafted the all-American family within her household. She cooked, cleaned, helped with homework, and supported her children's activities. She was homeroom mother for Jamie's and Julie's classes, Girl Scout sponsor, Cadet Parents Presidents for Oklahoma parents while Jamie attended the US Air Force Academy, to name just a few. Additionally, she hosted many family dinners, every year, as Jim's twin brothers, and for some time, their sister, made Tulsa their home, and Marge's New York family had all moved closer to Tulsa and increased the bond with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of their own, as well. Marge's parents had moved to Beaumont, Texas, but Nanny lived in Tulsa, another fact that strengthened her bond with her grandmother. Nanny's sister, known to this side of the family as Auntie, (the reverse was true on their side, which was sometimes confusing at family gatherings!) had extensive family ties in Tulsa, as well, so seasonal parties were huge!

When Nanny's sister passed away, Marge helped Nanny move into her own apartment not far from the Tighe home, where Marge visited almost daily and took very good care of this precious woman who had cared for her in her youth.

When Jim became sick, Marge went right back into caregiver mode, and the family always commented that she should have been a nurse. Her love language was definitely caregiving. She did research, stayed on top of treatments and appointments, and did so with a commitment that was unrivaled. Following Jim's death in 2009, Jamie and Julie did their best to help with anything they could. They were very attentive and patient, but Marge's health continued to decline until she was just too weak to go on.

Marge was preceded in death by her mother, Muriel Cecile Berg and stepfather, George Henry Berg, grandmother, Cecile Jones, and beloved husband, Jim Tighe. She was loved and will be well-remembered by son, James (Jamie) Hunter Tighe, II, and wife Beverlye, of Porter, daughter, Julie Bowles and husband Brian, of Bixby, grandchildren, James "Hunter" Tighe, III, wife Reagan, and great-granddaughter, Whitley, of Broken Arrow, Gordon "Scott" Tighe, wife Addison, and great-grandson, Waylon, of Coweta, Fielding Elisabeth "Lis" Tighe, Carson Coy Bowles, and Trevor James Bowles.
Graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Marge will be laid to rest next to her husband.


Private Family Service. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233