Marjorie May Carswell

She was Nanny to me,

Nana Marj to my children, Ryan and Tyler

Mom to Lynn

“Marj” to all who knew her.

She was the eldest child of Walter and Bertha Hamilton of Whitevale.

Sister to Hazel Bent and John Hamilton.

Aunt to Wayne, Karen and David

And Great Aunt to Michelle, Krysta and Adam.

Marj was born at Oshawa General Hospital on Friday April 13, 1923.

Yes Friday the 13th and she’d make a point of telling you “it was a lucky day for her”.

She always spoke of a happy childhood spending time with the Hamilton and Carter families in the Whitevale and Brougham villages.

Over the years we’d drive through those areas together and she would “on cue” tell us events that happened along our way such as:

…that was the house Dad took my soother away and threw it in the stove.

…that was the window of the room where John was born

…that was the church Gramma Hamilton went to

We always gave her the ribbing and she’d giggle but its history we would have missed out on if she hadn’t taken the time. We will definitely miss her narration on the next outing.

When she was about 17 she left home to work at Oshawa General Hospital living with other young women in the residences. This was an exciting time coming from the countryside to the city where there were more young people having fun going to parties and dances.

It was during this time she met a handsome well-dressed young man from Madoc named Ewart Carswell. She’d always say he had the whitest shirts and was a really good dancer.

They courted for about a year then married in Brougham on September 27th, 1941.

During their early years of marriage Papa left for Halifax where he was stationed during the war and Nanny started working at a small convenience store on Simcoe St in Oshawa and lived in the apartment above.

In December 1943 they were thrilled to welcome a baby girl, Lynn to their family.

Around that same time the elderly owners of the store, Mr. and Mrs. Rushagay were looking for someone to take over the business. There fondness for Marj grew quickly and they offered the opportunity to them. It was after some convincing on nanny’s part papa decided yes and Carswell’s Confectionary was established.

Hazel came to live in the apartment with nanny while papa was away to help in the store and look after Lynn which was her favourite thing to do. These were fun times they worked hard together and doted on Lynn. They’d playfully argue about things like who would push the baby carriage uptown or which dress they’d put on her.

In the years after the war the business took off like most did during that time, Papa had returned and together they were a driving force in its success.

Times where looking brighter in those years, they purchased their very first brand new car – a 1949, light green Pontiac. Funny thing was neither one of them had their drivers license so the car had to be delivered to the store. This was the start of Nanny’s love for new cars; she liked her Pontiacs and the odd convertible.

In the early fifties, they purchased a lot at the corner of Grandview and King on Hart’s Hill, at that time just east of Oshawa and soon Nanny was busy coordinating meetings with the architect and builder. I’m sure Papa had some input but Nanny knew exactly what she wanted and made it happen. She was very proud of that home, which she continued to live in for sixty years.

It was also around this time they were making long term plans to eventually sell the business due to the long hour commitments so Nanny decided to enroll in Hair Dressing School in Toronto and get her license while Papa continued to run the store.

Once she graduated she set up shop in the basement at the house and her clientele was growing at a rapid pace. Folks would come around to the back door, head downstairs and get their hair done. Then one day she was busy at work and a knock came to the back door, she went to the bottom of the stairs with uniform on and scissor & comb in hand to greet a city inspector – talk about being “caught in the act”.

She had thirty days to close up shop, which she honoured and moved on to purchase a red-bricked building a little further up the road on King St. and started Grandview Beauty Salon. Always saying it was the best thing that could have happened as it forced her hand to purchase a shop which started a successful 27 year hairdressing career, first with Grandview Beauty Salon and followed by Casa Loma.

Official retirement came in 1976 when she sold the salon. She was 53 and looking forward to spending more time travelling, golfing, curling and bowling.

Actually, 5-pin bowling was a sport she excelled at through the 50’s and 60’s. She became a Major “A” bowler winning many awards recognizing her achievements.

Retirement provided time to volunteer for Meals on Wheels; she was a member of the Bird Watching and Garden Clubs. She was active at the Seniors Centre where she Line Danced and learned Modern Square Dancing, she continued to travel and always enjoyed taking in the local fairs and exhibits in the area, which I’m sure included a couple casinos stops along the way!! 

Nanny and Papa were strict with Lynn when she was growing up, good manners, being respectful, being neat and tidy were a must. She was required to pitch in and help the best she could, she remembers it was her job to hustle home from school and get the potatoes peeled and dinner prep work completed so nanny could finish up when she got home from work and they could all eat dinner on time.

With this strictness came a great deal of fun growing up as well. Nana would always arrange excursions so Lynn could see the sights and have fun. They’d travel to Niagara Falls, New York City, Toronto shopping, renting cottages for several summers. As Lynn was an only child she was always allowed to invite a friend or a cousin to join her. The stories, memories and friendships that resulted from these experiences were priceless for both of them.

As you could probably tell after viewing the slide show, Marj really enjoyed Halloween.

She would put a great deal of effort into her costumes and loved going to parties and dances throughout the years. Even when I was young and then my children experienced the ritual of going to Nanas on Halloween night, she could always dig something up out of her chest to make a costume, turn the lights out and try to scare us. She did this right up until last Halloween. We’d all laugh, eat more candy and go on our way.

Marj was an independent woman, driven to succeed, determined in achieving what she wanted and worked hard to make it happen. It was quite an accomplishment during times when few women worked outside the home. She had a daughter and family she thought the world of, a successful career she worked hard at, a 30 year marriage to Papa which DID included many good times. They did part and probably had some very challenging years however as they aged and mellowed over time came back together as friends and had some laughs before Papa passed on in 2003.

This past year she was not herself, the arthritic pain in her lower back and hip was intolerable and none of the pain medication seemed to ease it. She was hospitalized in early August to get it under control. She did have some good days but most were painful. Mom made the trip to Port Perry just about everyday to ensure she was comfortable. Actually it was last Friday, she was having a good day, they visited for quite some time talking and she said to mom….”if I go now I’ve had a great life and have no regrets” and with that Saturday brought a turn for the worse with pneumonia settling in. It does ease our mind somewhat knowing she had come to terms with the situation she was in, being so tired of fighting the pain and we know now she’s at peace.

Thank you Nana for all the memories and know that I love you forever.

Tracy

Hello Lynn, here is this beautiful verse. MARJORIES JOURNEY IS JUST BEGUN

Don't think of her as gone away.

Her journey's just begun.

Life holds so many facet's, this earth is only one.

Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and the tears.

In a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years.

Think how she must be wishing, that we could know to-day,

how nothing but our sadness, can really pass away.

And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched-

For nothing loved is ever lost- and she was loved so much.

Jim R

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CARSWELL, Marjorie May (nee Hamilton)

Peacefully with family by her side at the Lakeridge Health Port Perry on Monday, September 5th, 2011 in her 89th year. Predeceased by her husband Ewart “Carsey” Carswell. Loving mother of Lynn Butler (Gary). Cherished grandmother of Tracy Norman (Darrin). Dear great-grandmother of Ryan and Tyler. Predeceased by her sister Hazel Bent and her brother John Hamilton. Sadly missed by many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Saturday, September 10th from 10 a.m. until time of Memorial Service in the Chapel at 11 a.m. Donations made to The Durham Regional Cancer Centre would be appreciated.