Marjorie Genevieve Toppings

With sadness, we announce the passing of our Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, Marjorie Toppings on May 19, 2020 in Kipling. Predeceased by her husband David in 2000, she is fondly remembered and deeply missed by her children: Richard (Nancy), Mark (Fior), Leanne (Jim), and Dan (Julie); nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Marjorie was born on the farm near Kipling, to parents Harold and Vera Hartnell, sixth child in a family of twelve. The whole family worked hard from a young age, evident in Marjorie’s work ethic and her unfailing devotion to family. Marjorie was predeceased by her brother Dennis in 1969, sisters: Audrey in 1972, Evelyn in 2003 and Molly in 2015. She is survived by sisters: Marion Tanner, Sylvia Mutcheson, Kay (Garry) Rudd, and Rosemary Pitchell, and brothers: Bernard, Bob and Bill (Joy) Hartnell.

After finishing high school in Kipling, Marjorie moved to Regina where she was employed by the Royal Bank. A year later, she and David married and settled on the farm east of Kipling, where they lived for ten years. When David’s parents retired to Kipling, Marjorie and David moved the family over to their farm. In 1967, they built a new house and turned the old home into a museum which housed their many antiques collected over the years. Marjorie was an equal partner in the work of the farm, skillfully driving the grain truck at harvest, moving machinery and running meals to the field. After David’s death, she continued to farm the land with Richard until 2015. Marjorie eventually moved in to Kipling, where she remained in her home until a few weeks before her passing.

Marjorie contributed mightily to her community, as a member of the Kipling & District Lions Club, the Inchkeith Women’s Institute, Kipling Figure Skating Club, Kipling Ladies Curling Club, and enjoyed “forty-niners” curling into her 86th year. She was her family’s biggest fan, spending countless hours cheering them on in baseball, hockey, volleyball, figure skating, music and more. Marjorie worked tirelessly in her garden and managed to preserve every bit of produce from her bounteous garden. Her homemade bread and buns were a favourite with her grandchildren. In her last year, she crocheted an afghan for each of her children and grandchildren, Christmas gifts we all treasure.

A private family graveside service will be held at the Lansdowne United Church Cemetery near Kipling. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Marjorie’s memory to the Kipling and District Health Foundation, P.O. Box 989, Kipling S0G 2S0.