November 27, 1914 – May 13, 2018
On May 13, 2018, with daughters Maureen E. McGee and Glenna S Cheesman (Jim Lucente), son Neil R McGee, and grandson Bruce N Cheesman at her bedside, Marjorie joined her ancestors and is re-united with her husband, Neil McGee (1984) and daughter, Gayle Lee McGee (1993). Her living legacy also includes seven grand-children and nine great-grandchildren.
Marjorie was born on a homestead near Alix, Alberta on November 27, 1914 to John (Jack) Clarke Rawson and Rachel Edwards (Wilcox) Rawson. In 1918, the family moved to the Vanderhoof, BC area. They lived in a tent and tried to grow potatoes which froze in July. Then, Jack became ill with the Spanish Flu and, on the advice of the doctor, who believed Jack did not have long to live, moved the family to the Tacoma, Washington area to be near Rachel’s family. They took the first ship from Prince Rupert after the October 1918 sinking of the Princess Sophia.
Marjorie’s education was in the Tacoma area. She was taking tailoring courses at the College of Puget Sound in 1934 when the family moved to Vancouver where Jack purchased a marina in Coal Harbour near Stanley Park where the Bayshore Inn now stands. Marjorie soon joined the rest of her family and enjoyed days of playing tennis at Stanley Park, attending a young people’s club, roller skating and swimming.
In 1939, Jack and Rachel purchased Adams Lake Lodge near Kamloops leaving Marjorie and her sister to run a boarding house for the RCAF. She also worked doing tailoring and sewing golf bags and tents.
It was on a visit to her parents at Adams Lake that she met Neil McGee. They married in 1947 and had four children. In the early years of their marriage they lived on Vancouver Island and moved to Vernon, BC in 1951.
Marjorie sewed all the clothes for the family, baked, canned and helped Neil in his wood business. She served on the board of the Parent Teachers Association and had a regular spot on the local radio station where she discussed PTA views and policies. Entertainment was playing cribbage or whist with family, friends, and neighbours. She also spent hours knitting, crocheting, embroidering, tatting, painting, reading and cutting clippings for her scrapbooks. In later years, she was active with the Old Age Pensioners and the Vernon Museum and Archives.
Marjorie pursued a life long interest in genealogy becoming a member of the Vernon Family History Society and serving on the board in various capacities. Her research into her Wilcox ancestors led to her discovery of her Mayflower ancestors. At the age of 86, she purchased her first computer and began scanning and e-mailing her genealogical information to her daughter, Maureen. At the age of 102, she was thrilled to become a member of the Canadian Society of Mayflower Descendants.
Marjorie’s beautiful smile, warm hugs and positive attitude will be missed by many family, friends and members of the Vernon community. Faced with any adversity, her constant response was “We’ll live through this”.
Special thanks and appreciation from the family are extended to Lee-Ann Jost of We Care and the staff at Polson Residential Care who provided loving attention to Marjorie’s care and well-being. An event celebrating Marjorie’s 103 years of life is anticipated for mid-September 2018. Notice to follow.
A Celebration of Marjorie’s Life is planned for The Bistro at Polson Extended Care, 2101 32 Street, Vernon, BC at 1:30 pm on Monday, September 17, 2018. Refreshments will be provided. We look forward to visiting with her friends once again and hearing some of your stories.
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