By Jennifer Decker [email protected] LAKE GAGE — Like Peter Pan, Marianne Bodie vowed she'd never grow up. And she stuck to that all of her 82 years, making sure celebrations were commonplace, and joy and laughter surrounded her. Mrs. Bodie, Lake Gage, died Nov. 8 at home from stomach cancer. She was born on Dec. 25, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Francis Scott and Helen Lockwood. Mrs. Bodie married her sweetheart, Raymond (Ray) Willis Bodie, on May 24, 1952, in Des Moines. They met as students at Drake University. From there, the Bodies moved to Fostoria, Ohio, where Ray started his electrical business. The couple raised their three children in Fostoria. Later, they built and moved full time to their dearly loved Lake Gage digs. Mrs. Bodie was known for her spunk. She was always ready for a party and celebrated everything, no matter if it was big or small. She was an adventurer, fun seeker, gracious hostess, world traveler, missionary worker and teacher. She went against the grain by teaching her family good china was for special people, not special occasions, and prom dresses didn't have to be worn only once at the big event. Mrs. Bodie enjoyed a good glass of chardonnay and made a drink she was known for called "border buttermilk." It contained pink lemonade, ice and tequila. "One of the things Mama said was, 'I'll be Peter Pan and never grow up,'" said her daughter, Jennifer Tritch. "We always had fun. We had 'tent city,' 40-50 at the lake on holidays. Her birthday was Dec. 25, so she got shortchanged. We had a surprise birthday for her 75th birthday for the Fourth of July. She had a crown, released butterflies. It was more like a roast." Mrs. Bodie was always on the go. In Fostoria, she volunteered more than 1,000 hours at the local hospital. She was active with the First Presbyterian Church and headed a youth group. "The high school kids loved her, and she taught them many things about life," Ray said. "She had formal dinner, and they had to come dressed up, learn proper table manners and things. We took them camping, and they had to help fix the meals, clean the campground and things. Many of them have kept track of us." In Steuben County, she was a longtime member of the Steuben Women's Club and served as president. She was a founding member of the Presbyterian Chapel of the Lake and was an elder. She was also a founding member of the chapel's women's group, Chapel Bells. The Bodies visited all 50 states and traveled the world. Mrs. Bodie reveled in paragliding in New Zealand and zip-lining in Nicaragua. "We had a motor home and she liked to drive," Ray said. "If she was in the left lane and wanted to go (three or four lanes over) to the right, she put her signal on, counted to 10 and went." They went on many mission trips, keeping in contact with those they encountered. They made three trips to Waspam, Nicaragua, helping build a school. They spent another two months in Lahaina, Maui, on a project to house world-famous Koko the gorilla, who learned a form of American Sign Language. "In 2005 and 2008, we went and spent a week in Mississippi in a Presbyterian tent city and helped clean up and repair homes damaged by (Hurrican Katrina) and high water. We spent three months helping to build a new church in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Marianne taught English to the church's grade school. Sometimes, when in a Walmart store there, a young child would come up to her and put their arms around her and startle their parents," Ray said. Mrs. Bodie treasured flowers, especially pansies. She loved fountain-style fireworks. She was in her glory doting over everyone, cooking them her biscuits and gravy or baked chicken she was known for. "One time you were a guest at her home. After that, you were put to work," Ray said with a laugh. Mrs. Bodie delighted in having Ray put decorations on a Lake Gage raft. Neighbors looked forward to it. "We put out a ghost and jack-o'-lantern 70 feet out on Lake Gage. We put a turkey out and that was her favorite," Ray said. "We had a hard time finding a turkey, (but) its head moves." Ray put the colorful, artificial turkey out right before she died. She was pleased to see it in its rightful place. The husband and wife were virtually inseparable and shared a deep love. Their romance stayed kindled 63 years, as Ray said his wife would leave him little notes of endearment, some even saying something as simple as, "You're terrific." Jennifer said at her mother's funeral: "Mama taught us how to live fully, and she showed us how to die with grace and a little pizzazz. She will always have a large and special place in our hearts."