Marjorie Joan Salembier Hurley, 92, Died; Staples Grad, Realtor, “always the best dressed”
Marjorie Joan Salembier Hurley, aged 92, passed away on October 12, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Florida. "Marj" was born on January 10, 1929, in Mineola, NY to Richard Van Zandt Salembier and Jesse Marjorie Forester Salembier.
Marj was the third of eight children in the Salembier family. Prior to Marj's high school years, the entire Salembier family moved to Westport, Connecticut where she attended Staples High School.
It was during her high school years, Marj developed an interest in fashion which, after graduation led her to the Parsons School of Design in New York City.
Fashion design quickly became the first of Marj's life passions. On return from a business trip to Europe her father brought back some exotic fabrics; Marj went straight to work designing evening gowns. And after the designs were finished, she worked with a seamstress to complete the garments which were scoffed up by her sisters to wear at Westport functions.
Marj married Arthur Hunter, Jr., in 1948 and started a large family. One son and five daughters kept Marj very busy.
As the youngest of her six children approached her junior high school years, Marj decided to enter the workforce. While working at a clothing store in downtown Westport, Marj realized she could move onto something bigger. With an eye for design and detail it was not surprising that she found her way to real estate sales. Her third life's passion evolved into a successful career in real estate at both the Hunter Agency, and the William Pitt agency both of Westport, Connecticut.
After some life changes, Marj married Jim Hurley. When Jim invested in a Vermont business they moved north. Marj continued in real estate, but instead of sales she spearheaded the building of an extraordinary house.
Marj was always the best dressed and had the most beautiful eye for decorating. You always knew when Marj was a visitor in your house; with the move of a vase or the puffing of a sofa pillow she'd create a fresh look and feel to any space. She never lost her eye and touch for fashion.
Marj is survived by her son Arthur Hunter, III, daughters Wendy Hunter Widman, Sally Hunter Uccellini, Stacy Hunter Holstein, Dana Hunter Harrity, Liz Hunter Koscinski, fourteen grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren. As well as sisters Sandra Eskey, Sharon Lawson and brother Jeffery Salembier.
A full military ceremony will be held for the burial of Marj and her husband Jim (predeceased) at 3pm on April 8 at the Veterans Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 40 percent chance of light snow before 10am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.
Tonight
Rain likely, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 35. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow
A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tomorrow Night
A chance of rain before 4am, then a slight chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Light and variable wind becoming west 6 to 11 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 49; State Hospitalizations, Positivity Rate Up
The Westport-Weston Health District and the State Department of Public Health reported 49 new COVID-19 cases for Westport over the past 24 hours. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 9.02% while hospitalizations were up 16 patients, totaling 837 patients across the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 2,470 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 32 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.02% [up from 8.93%]
State Hospitalizations: 837 patients [+16]
Sunset over Burying Hill
Deep colors lingered over Burying Hill Beach this evening. Photo by JD Dworkow for WestportLocal.com