Obituary of Marjorie Gordon

Marjorie Pamela Gordon passed away in the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Friday, February 11, 2005 at the age of 83 years. Marjorie is survived by: her loving husband Harold; three children: Vicki and her husband Paul Morin and their family: Michelle and John Roach and their children: Kelsey, Morgen and Brooke; Lynette and Bernard LaClare and their children: Jacob, Joshua and Marc; Nicole and Chris Webb and their son Joel; Kevin and Kim Morin and their children: Bailey, Payton and Isaiah; Gerald Gordon and his wife Sandy and their family: Leora and Colin McIntosh; Alisha and Brad Bishop and their children: Mckenzie and Kiley; Erin Gordon and her friend Kevin Forbes; Laurie Gordon and his friend Rosetta Deklic and Laurie's daughter Tanya Gordon as well as numerous other relatives. Marjorie was predeceased by her mother Elsie in 1980; her father George in 1988 and her sister Joyce in 1997. The funeral service for Marjorie was conducted form the Good Shepherd United/Anglican Church, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Canon Don Skinner officiating. A eulogy was given by Michelle Roach and Lynette LaClare with words of remembrance by Rodney Gordon. "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," was sung by Marg Uhlig and Don Skinner. Hymns sung were "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," and "How Great Thou Art," accompanied on the organ by Bev Meikle. Active pallbearers were: Rodney Gordon, Kevin Morin, John Roach, Grant Lawrence, Brad Bishop, Colin McIntosh, Kevin Forbes and Bernard LaClare. Interment followed in the Turtleford Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster and Turtleford administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy Marjorie Pamela Roberts was born on April 1, 1921 in London, England to George and Elsie Roberts. During her early childhood years her Dad played in a band at the big Theatre, Sheperd’s Bush, in London and would bring home dance costumes. Marjorie would love dressing up and dancing in front of the mirrors. She was lucky to go to a dancing school for one and a half years which she thoroughly enjoyed. Marjorie loved the ocean. Family holidays were spent at the seaside. She recalled the fun weekends at their bungalow, roaming the countryside, smelling the bluebells in the woods and the primrose and lavender on the hillsides, bringing home every stray animal that might be found. Jumping the waves with her Dad or building sand castles, watching the tide come in and picking seaweed to bring home. Her mom would always buy her a bouquet of sweet peas at the market before they left for home. She always loved sweet peas. At the age of 10, with her Mother and older sister Joyce, they came to Canada on the boat Ascania. On their arrival they settled in the Turtleford area first staying with Marjorie’s Aunt and Uncle Crossley. This is where her love for horses and farm life began. Her first saddle horse Trixie became her constant companion. It was with Trixie and later Dusky that she won numerous ribbons at the local fair. She continued showing horses over the next twenty years. Marjorie met Harold on February 14, 1942 at a Valentine’s Day dance, when her date for the evening asked his good friend Harold to see Marjorie safely home. That cutter ride home was the beginning of a loving and lasting relationship that continued on for almost 63 years. They were engaged that same April on Marjorie’s 21st birthday and married four months later on August 4, 1942. In that first year Harold was called to serve in the army, being sent to basic training in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Marjorie was expecting her first child at that time and May 24, 1943 a baby girl, Maureen Geraldine Victoria, was born in Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC. Harold managed to obtain short leave for this joyous occasion. Harold’s army regiment was about to be shipped overseas when thankfully the war ended. Marjorie in that time had managed to save whatever money Harold was able to send and together they purchased the home quarter. A second child, Gerald Richard, was born June 19, 1948. Followed five years later by a third child, Laurie Lynn born February 23, 1953. Vicki recalls special times on the family farm, after chores were done, with her Mom on the back step taking time to play the guitar and sing. Music was one of Marjorie’s many talents. Vicki enjoyed singing along with the cowboy songs and loved listening to her Mom “yodel.” Marjorie also loved to play the piano, was a talented artist, and enjoyed many hours in her flower gardens. Marjorie was a strong community supporter. She was secretary of the TADRA board for nine years, secretary of art classes, served on the Hospital Auxiliary, Museum board, and Allied Arts Council, as well as volunteer coordinator for Mistikwa College. She also worked for a while as an activities leader at the Turtle River Nursing Home and she spent many hours collecting and compiling histories from the Clayville School District for the Turtleford history book, “Turtleford Treasures.” Fund times were spent with friends and neighbors playing cards, visiting, square dancing, bowling, curling and going on trips. In her later years she enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, knitting, jigsaw puzzles, and tending to her plants in the solarium, the gold fish in her pond and Pinkie, her white Persian house cat. Grandma always had time for a “cup of tea” with her children and grandchildren. On Grandpa’s insistence a pail of slush was always in the deep freeze and gingerale and candies for the kids were always on hand. We, as grandchildren, remember a love that was evident, even when arguing. This was done always with humor; teasing and constant bantering between them kept us all amused. We can only hope that we can model our relationships around the loving example set by Grandma and Grandpa. She will be sadly missed by “the love of her life,” and us all. Card of Thanks The family of the late Marjorie Gordon would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support during our very sad loss. Thank you for all the prayers, visits, hugs, phone calls, cards, donations of food, the lovely floral arrangements, and monetary donations. A very special thank you to Reverend Canon Don Skinner for his visit, prayers and comforting words and for the beautiful service. Also to Reverend Don Skinner and Marg Uhlig for their beautiful rendition of “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.” Thank you to organist Bev Meikle for providing the music. To Michelle Roach and Lynette LaClare for delivering the eulogy and to Rodney Gordon for his words of remembrance and for reading cherished memories written by Rosetta Deklic. Thank you to the AUCW for the wonderful lunch. Special thanks to Dr. Mulder and staff at the Riverside Health Complex for their care and concern; to Marshall's Ambulance and to Dr. Kanthan and staff at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon for the care given to Marjorie during her brief stay there. A very special thank you to Dale and Dave McCaw and staff of McCaw Funeral Service for their kindness, friendship, understanding support and excellent service. Once again thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the compassion and support our family has been shown. We have been deeply touched by your thoughtfulness. Life on earth, both Temporal and Eternal, has brought your Mother this Scared Moment. Gathering together today, we celebrate an important Passage of your Mother’s life. From this day forward, carry forth the purpose of her wisdom, for she over saw your human progress, who nurtured and sustained you. Your Mother will be Honored and Respected for what She has done and who she was. She gained knowledge and the Power to Heal through the Depth of Her Compassion and Understanding and brought forth a new and better World through the Depth of Her vision. Your Mother was Wonderful, Strong and Brave Good and Wise. Now an Angel watching over, with a powerful force of Love, that will always protect you. As one of the Glorious Angels of God tied the Golden Cord of Eternal Life at one end of your Mother’s Heart, the other end was tied to the Hearts of everyone who Receives Her. We release what was to make room for what shall be, as we testify with in our minds that life does not end but merely transmutes; say that today we say goodbye and yet also say hello. We say goodbye to the Physical focus of your relationship with your Mother and greet the relationship with her Soul That now Begins .. Anew! My Prayer: Uphold the Strength through the Sorrow and Loss as you Grieve and Release the one you Loved and will Sorrowfully miss. Release your Mother to God and may her Journey a head be Glorious and Sweet. The healing process may be pain staking, but as time progresses, You will all regain more strength. Wish I can take your pain and wipe away all tears. Wishing you all Warmth, Health, and Happiness in your Life and Peace in your World With An Abundance Of Love Rosetta Donations in memory of Marjorie may be made to the Riverside Health Complex, Heart & Stroke Foundation or to a charity of the donor's choice.