Margery Anne (King) Roby

Stow, MA – Margery Anne (King) Roby, a dedicated educator and beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2026. After receiving a cancer diagnosis, she spent her last weeks and moments at home with family. She was 75 years old.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey on October 25, 1950, Margery was the only child of the late Henry King (born Babinski) and Marguerite (McNamara) King. Growing up with a strong foundation in education, Margery graduated from Holy Family Academy in Bayonne, NJ in 1968. Her relationship with her mentor Sister James Anita, SSJ (later known to Margery’s children as “Grandma Jamie”) had an everlasting influence on her life well beyond high school. Margery went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Chestnut Hill College and a master’s degree from Seton Hall University, beginning a life of caring for and mentoring others.

As a teacher and college guidance counselor for over 40 years, Margery touched the lives of countless students at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Cecilian Academy, Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, and Merion Mercy Academy. She was known as a no-nonsense grader who kindly and passionately taught students how to write, enjoy literature, appreciate the French language, and find their match in the college application process.

In her personal life, Margery was defined by her unwavering devotion to her family. She shared 45 years of marriage with her husband, Nicholas Roby, building a life rooted in love and partnership. Margery and Nick welcomed two children, Joseph in 1981 and Lauren in 1985, who were the greatest pride and joy of her life, even while happily attending Civil War reenactments and Hanson concerts or expertly proofreading hundreds of their school papers. Margery valued the relationship her own mother had with Joseph and Lauren while they all lived together. A model of unconditional love and selflessness, Margery was her mother’s sole caretaker as she aged. Margery also shared her kindness and generosity as a caregiver to other children while home with her own, and later, as the eager chauffeur for Joseph’s, Lauren’s, and their friends’ outings.

An avid reader and writer, Margery loved keeping up with the daily news and was working on a memoir of her life (she made it up to 1981). When she wasn’t emailing her close friends and family recent articles about political or human rights causes or The New Yorker cartoons, Margery enjoyed watching her favorite game shows, playing word games, and vacationing in Sea Isle City, NJ. She shared many milestones and fond memories with her McNamara cousins. Margery maintained several close friendships since high school and college, sharing humor, loyalty, and support.

After residing in Philadelphia from 1974 through 2025, Margery, Nick, and Joseph moved to Stow, Massachusetts, to be closer to Lauren and her family. Being "Mom-Mom" to her two cherished grandsons, Benjamin and Henry, was a source of profound happiness in her final years. She is survived by her devoted husband, Nicholas Roby; her son, Joseph Roby; her daughter, Lauren Cilley and her husband, Matthew; her two beloved grandsons, Benjamin and Henry; and extended family. Margery’s legacy of kindness, education, and fierce family loyalty will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

A celebration of Margery’s life will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Margery Roby may be made to the Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Institute in support of gastric and esophageal cancer research, fund 234806. Gifts can be made online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate (please select “Make this gift in tribute to”) or mailed to Meagan Coons c/o Mass General Brigham Development, 399 Revolution Drive, Suite 1330, Somerville, MA 02145. Checks payable to Massachusetts General Hospital and please note “GASTRIC/ESOPHAGEAL CANCER RESEARCH fund 234806.”