Margery H. Roy
Amherst, MA – Margery H. Roy, 89, of Amherst, died of heart failure on
August 26th, 2025, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton. Born in
New Haven, September 9, 1935, she was the daughter of the late John
and Rosa (Doerrer) Hague. She attended St. Mary’s High School and
Southern Connecticut State College in New Haven.
Margery was married to her late husband, John Roy, a professor in the
Art Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, until his
passing in 2001. Margery and John met while she was an assistant to
Joseph Albers at Yale University and John was one of his graduate
students. In the early years of her adult life, Margery devoted
herself to raising her family before beginning a professional career.
From 1978 to 1987, she served as business manager at the Mount Holyoke
College Art Museum, and from 1987 until her retirement in 2008, she
enjoyed a successful and rewarding career as a realtor with D.H. Jones
in Amherst.
She gave her time generously to many organizations, including the Girl
Scouts, Brownies, PTA, Chamber of Commerce, Pelham Historical Society,
and the Hospice of the Fisher Home. In 1987, she joined the Rotary
Club of Amherst and, in 1993, became its first female president,
remaining an active member for many years.
In 2005, she found love again with her partner Ronald Archer, with
whom she shared great joy. Her family is especially grateful for the
loving care and companionship from Ronald over many years.
Margery had a gift for making others feel at ease, and her warmth and
generosity of spirit touched all who knew her. She enjoyed
entertaining and, for more than 25 years, hosted large Thanksgiving
gatherings for extended family and friends. Following a stroke in
2013, Margery met life’s challenges with courage, grace, and a loving
smile that would light up the room.
Together with her late husband, John Roy, she leaves her son, Paul Roy
of Seattle, Washington; two daughters, Ellen Roy and her husband Lyle
Upright of Hadley, and Karen Travers and her husband David of
Florence; granddaughter Kaitlin Travers of Brookline; and grandson
Isaac Upright of Hadley.
Visiting hours will be held at Douglas Funeral Service in Amherst on
Wednesday, September 17, from 1:002:30 p.m., followed by a service at
2:30 p.m.
A private family interment of her ashes will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice
of the Fisher Home in Amherst (fisherhome.org).