FEATURE:

Still working at 80

Marjory Merrill is into her third career at age 80. Granted, this is a part-time job, but she’s been doing it for 17 years. She does product demonstrations/tastings for Island Princess, makers of macadamia nut candies, popcorn and confections.

Her enthusiasm has brought about the nickname “The Demo Goddess.” It’s a moniker she accepts with a shrug and laugh.

“I’m very proud to be a part of the Island Princess company,” she says while setting up for a demo session at a Moiliili drug store.

Marjory, of Chinese descent, grew up in the islands, graduating in 1945 from Roosevelt High School where she studied to be a secretary because “that was a dignified job” back then.

She was secretary at C.S. Woo until she found it boring. She also discovered that chairs are not made for “little people.” She developed back and leg problems from sitting.

After marrying her second husband, “the love of my life,” she became a restaurateur. She and her husband Walter Merrill, who died in 1998, owned and operated Royal Lanai Steak and Lobster in

Marjory Merrill, who just turned 80, still works part-time doing product demonstrations. Photos by Steven Fox

Waikiki for eight years before being bought out.

Part of the buyout was a five-month trip through Europe. That’s when Marjory discovered she’s not a traveler. “I get air sick, seasick and car sick.”

What she likes about her current job is meeting the public. “It’s fascinating and challenging. You have to be helpful and nice.”

She is both, according to Adrienne Sweeney, sales manager for the company, who says of their No. 1 demo person:

“Marjory is a natural-born salesperson with a charming personality. She looks people in the eye. She knows all of the details about our products. She arrives at her location early, familiarizes herself with where our products are on display, what the prices are (not only of the items she is sampling, but all of our items) who management is, where and how much back stock is available. She then SELLS!

“We have had a number of people on our demo staff in the past. None have come close to matching Marjory’s style, presentation or success. She is recognized by customers wherever she goes. Store managers request her services continually.”

Marjory says even former high school classmates have recognized her and come up to say hello.
When she’s not demonstrating, Marjory lives in a senior residence in Ewa. She has one daughter, Renee Hampton, and one grandson, Tyler Hampton who lives in San Francisco. Her daughter and son-in-law, Edward Hampton, surprised her with an 80th birthday party at the Waikiki Yacht Club. “I don’t like surprises,” she says, but was obviously pleased by the celebration.

Island Princess adjusted her demo schedule so she wouldn’t have to work the day after the big party. Otherwise, she has a full slate of demos all over Oahu through the holidays.

And, she knows just how long she can work, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., to beat the traffic to and from the west side.

back to top