Margaret "Marge" DeMarco Applewhite passed away November 13, 2018 at the age of 94 in the loving care of Circle of Life Legacy Village in Bentonville. She was born in Albany, New York and was a graduate of Albany High School. She married Russell Thetford on May 20, 1945 and for 26 years they raised four children while being transferred to a new location every few years by the United States Navy. She served as the Navy pilot's wife with great pride and energy. She took on a new role as the owner and principle chef at an Italian restaurant in Lonoke, and did so for a number of years. It was during this period she met and married Clarence Applewhite, Jr. on February 3, 1973. They built a home in Ward, Arkansas, but fourteen years ago moved to Bentonville, Arkansas to be closer to her daughter, who had relocated there a few years before from Little Rock. Marge loved antiquing, and filled her home beautifully with her finds. She was known for cooking her big Italian dinners when family visited and sharing stories about her Italian heritage. She also loved to play scrabble and card games and was a competitive bridge player. She played Words with Friends on her iPad against children and grandchildren, and was almost impossible to beat. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino in Siloam Springs, if someone would say "let's go". Marge was preceded in death by her father, Leonardo DeMarco, her mother, Donata DeMarco, her daughter Lynda Thetford, and her beloved husband Clarence Applewhite, Jr. All of her large Italian family had predeceased her including her sister Phyllis Villani, and brothers Anthony, Michael, Peter and Rocco DeMarco. She is survived by her sons Chris (Charlotte) DeMarco of Kennesaw, Georgia, Bryan (Julie Ann) Thetford of Bark River, Michigan and daughter Debby (Catherine) Thetford Nye of Bentonville. She also enjoyed her six grandchildren, Kristan DeMarco, Tatyana (Nate) Williams, Deirdre (Bryan) West, Travis Thetford, Kody (Jacob) McCann, Liz (Tom) Goebelbecker and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Her church, All Saints Episcopal of Bentonville, and her neighbors, friends and yard girl were special to her. Each allowed her to remain in her home until this last illness proved to be too difficult to overcome. Her steadfast independence was much admired by all. The funeral service will be held Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 3:00 P.M., Graveside at Benton County Memorial Park, 3800 W Walnut St, Rogers, Arkansas, to allow the family all time to gather and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to The Circle of Life Hospice. Arrangements by Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home, Rogers, Arkansas. Graveside 3:00 PM Thursday, March 7th, 2019
Benton County Memorial Park Cemetery