Marjorie Marsh

Marjorie was born on October 7, 1933 to Hilda and William Townsend. She was the dedicated, caring and loving mother of Susie Johnson (Brian), Tony Marsh (Tammy), Cathy McMurray (Bruce), Christopher Marsh (Aileen) and Michael Marsh (stillborn). She loved and adored her eleven grandchildren Evie, Liam, Gillian (Kevin), Sabrina (Erik), Jonathon (Katie), Callie, Hannah (David), Olivia, Heather (Joel), Avery and Allison, her great-grandson Arlo and her step-grandchildren Erin and Shane.

For nearly 80 years Marjorie was a special school friend to Barbara Rumsey and Edna Ross. She was a friend to Barbara North for many decades. She shared thousands of cups of tea and countless chats with her very good friend, Mary White, over their 50-year friendship.

Marjorie was born in Blackpool, England. Like so many from her generation, many of her key formative years were shaped by World War 2. Her fears, experiences, trials, loss and sadness from that era infused her character, habits and memories. Her tales from the war years were endlessly fascinating, those memories lasting to the end for her when so many more recent ones had faded.

In 1952 she emigrated to Canada, landing in Montreal and living there briefly before living and working in Toronto and then finally settling in Sault Ste. Marie in the late 1950s. She had a few jobs, several as a bookkeeper, earning a reputation for accuracy, detail and the determination to balance every day to the penny.

But those were jobs - her career was her family. Her heart, soul, energy, passion, and love were poured into her four kids. Though some years were difficult, she worked so hard and sacrificed so much to raise a family that now remembers only the valuable lessons learned, the love and the laughter. She had to wait for a while before she finally got grandchildren before welcoming all eleven in nine years and bestowing each with a hand sewn quilt.

Every year she scoured the stores to purchase each grandchild a Christmas tree ornament that suited their individual tastes and personality. She loved to bake for them, watch them play, hear about their activities and follow their burgeoning lives. She so loved and cherished all her grandchildren. And to sit now with them, all adults, and hear them laugh and tell stories and share memories of their beloved grandmother, well, they so loved and cherished her right back.

In her spare time and well into her retirement years, Marjorie was a prolific gardener. She loved to grow vegetables, especially tomatoes, but her huge, colourful, English-style garden was her pride and joy. She was conscious of her effect on the earth, composting and conserving decades before most. When she couldn’t be outside to garden, to sustain her through the dreaded winters, she created amazing quilts and stunning cross stitch pictures. The toil and effort to create those works of art represents her patience and her pride in creating something beautiful. Each home of her family members now proudly displays these priceless treasures.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Great Northern Retirement Home who went above and beyond in their care for Marjorie.

The family also thanks all the staff at the Davey Home, especially the dedicated workers in Driftwood 1 for their care, patience and compassion over the past year and the staff in Cedar 2 for making the last few days of Marjorie’s life peaceful and comfortable for her and her family.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations to a charity that supports research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease would be appreciated.

Marjorie was strong-willed, resilient, compassionate, generous and fair. She would speak up for anyone she felt was wronged and was never afraid to fiercely advocate for her family. She met difficult challenges head-on and dealt with adversity with grace and determination. Her legacy is a family that strives to live up to the inspirational example that she set. She was respected and dearly loved, and she will be deeply missed.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street East 705-759-2522). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.