MARJORY FRANCIS WOODWORTH TONE

Marge was a truly wonderful woman.  She was kind and beautiful - and loved her family and horses.  She was one of 15 children born to Loren and Pearl Woodworth.  Her fondest childhood memory was of sitting on her Pa's lap and listening to the stories about her Grandfather, Alonzo Woodworth.  Pa told her that his father was an excellent horseman.  He was a Scout for the U.S. Army, and led the Pioneers out West on the Oregon Trail.  His horse was a big part of his life, and Alonzo depended on him for the safety of the Pioneers that he led.  One night, his horse was stolen by an Indian.  Alonzo instructed the group to stay put, he must find his horse before travelling on.

For 3 days and 3 nights Alonzo tracked the Indian, and finally near a small fire, he found and killed the Indian, and rode his stallion back to his people.  Pa told little Marge that the stallion was very rare, as he was an Arabian horse.  Marge made up her mind that someday she would raise horses - and her dream came true...

Marge was always good and kind to all people.  Her family was poor, she had no shoes and would wear some belonging to a brother.  Children at school made fun of her and made bad remarks because she helped in the school cafeteria to pay for her lunch.  Finally, at the age of 16, she quit school and went to work to help out her family.  Marge's common sense and special feeling for animals, birds and children were amazing.  She was very pretty, and very shy.

Marge's family lived in Stockton, and she got a job as an usherette in a local movie theater.  Her brother Loren had a job, but worried about Marge walking home late at night, so he waited, and walked home with her.  Marge's many brothers loved music, played guitars and had a baseball team.  One Sunday, when Marge was 17, her brothers played a country team.  They had no umpire, so the boys asked Marge to call the balls and strikes!  The country boys had a nice looking, young muscular farmer pitching for their team.  Of course, Marge wanted her brothers to win, so she called many balls----.  The pitcher would look long at the female umpire, and never got upset.  Marge told us that she could not get over his good disposition.  When the game was over, young Jack Tone III (Buddy) wanted to meet the umpire!  It was love at first sight, and they were married 3 months later on September 5, 1932.  Marge was 17, and Buddy was 23.  Marge overheard one of the older ladies at the Church saying "That poor little thing - marrying that wild Tone boy ----"

Buddy's mother, Grace Tone loved Marge, and asked her if she would become a Catholic.  Marge happily did, and her Faith became a large part of her everyday life.  The Great Depression was in full swing, but their love and hard work kept them going.  Marge and Buddy had 6 children, Jackie, Joanne, John Patrick, Kathleen, Susan and Patricia.  Their only son, died tragically at the age of 18 months.  They were so heart broken, that Buddy's father "Pop", gave Marge some baby chickens to raise and care for.  It wasn't long before Marge started dreaming about horses again, and decided that when the chickens started laying eggs, she would sell the eggs and save her money for a horse!  Her girls were dreaming for a pony, but Buddy wasn't interested.  Marge saved her egg money, found a pony and Santa Claus put it under the Christmas tree!  What fun that was!

Marge had a great "eye" for a horse.  She read many books about all breeds of horses.  Over and over she would return to the description of an Arabian Horse.  It's beauty, kind disposition and love of life!  Marge's first two fillies were thin - but beautiful.  Of course, she then needed a stallion, and the 10 month old FADJUR made all of her dreams come true.  Her fabulous FADJUR set records in the show arena that has never been broken.  Three times (out of three times) he was named the World's Most Popular Arabian Stallion.  He and SAKI became Living Legends of the Breed.  FADJUR's sons and daughters have been exported world wide, and because of them Marge visited many of their new countries.

Marge became the first lady President of the Arabian Horse Association of Northern Califonria.  She was a Director of the International Arabian Horse Association.  Marge put on one of the most exciting All Arabian Shows at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.  Buddy hauled all the straw for the show, and only charged them .25 cents per bale!

Her husband Buddy was a terrific athlete and played handball all over the United States.  One of his handball friends asked why he didn't bring Marge to the tournaments.  Buddy said "no no - we have nothing in common, but we are madly in love!"

It was so hard to loose Buddy at age 97, and Marge at 95, but we know they are together dancing and singing once again - this time it's in Heaven!

Love Always,  Jackie...

And your 5 girls, their families, and all the many people you touched and inspired...