Marjorie Anne was the only child born to Ben and Alice Dawson on July 9th in Stonewall, Manitoba. She attended elementary and secondary school in Stonewall with her friends and cousins until grade 11. She finished secondary school at St Mary’s Academy in Winnipeg. She was very excited about this as she thought it would have horses, and Marj loved horses. There was momentary disappointment when she found out there were no horses but despite this, she always said it was her favourite year of school.
Following post-secondary training in Medical Health Records, Marj worked several jobs in Manitoba, working just long enough to make enough money to travel. Her father saw an ad for a contract job at the Dryden Hospital and she moved to Dryden in January 1973. She was thrilled to live in the nurse’s residence for $25 a month, leaving her with savings to go on another travel adventure.
To meet new people in Dryden, Marj volunteered with the Girl Guides where she met her future sister-in-law, Annemarie, who introduced her to Will. She and Will were married in 1976. They were blessed with a daughter Kyla in 1977 and a son Gavin in 1983. Marj stayed home with the children until both were in school and went back to work at local medical clinics doing transcription.
Marj enjoyed sewing and shortly after moving to Dryden, she received lessons from Mrs. DePorto. Kids, grandchildren, and many friends benefited from her sewing talents. This hobby provided her so much enjoyment – buying new fabric, patterns and lots of social interaction.
Volunteering in the community was important. Marj involved herself in the Hospital Auxiliary for many years. She was in her element when the Auxiliary would have their annual garage sale.
More recently, she had become involved in the Lions Club and found great reward in the organizations and people they helped – and loved meeting new people.
Exercise was always a part of her life in Dryden. She was involved in curling, aerobics and aquafit. She especially enjoyed the notorious women’s bonspiels where “what happened at the Ladies Bonspiel – never got told to the husbands.”
Marj and Will played beach volleyball in the summer with their usual team – Cardiac Arrest. For Marj, the best part of the game was sitting on the deck behind the Lodge sharing a drink with the opposition.
One of her favourite past times was her regular lunch and dinner dates with friends. She treasured these weekly events and coordinated her many volunteer commitments around these meals.
In 2005, her first grand daughter Morgan arrived, making her an “Oma.” In 2008, grandson Ben made his entrance and then in 2010, her second grand daughter Kara arrived. Marj was a proud Oma who always carried around an envelope of pictures, ready to show anyone and everyone.
Over the next thirteen years, her three grandchildren started school. She cared for them before and after school and enjoyed many a game of “WHOT” and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Travel was a wonderful part of her life and she and Will enjoyed visits to many places in Europe, Australia and Florida to visit friends. They frequently went to Disney World with their grandkids, and Kyla and Jason. During the last visit, Gavin and his wife Krista joined them for the occasion.
On Christmas Day 2018, Gavin and Krista welcomed their first son, Caleb Dawson, two months premature. He caught up quickly after his 6 weeks in hospital. Marj got to see and snuggle Caleb twice, the last time for almost a week at Easter.
A Memorial Funeral Service to celebrate Marjorie’s life will be held Friday May 17th at 11:00 a.m. in First United Church with Pastor Michael Bergman officiating. Interment will follow in the Dryden Cemetery.
If friends desire donations may be made to DRHC Foundation or Second Chance Pet Network through the Stevens Funeral Homes P.O. Box 412, Dryden ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca
While Marj would have loved to spend more time on this earth, the following message from St. Francis of Assisi reflected her philosophy on life and a message that she would have wanted to share with all her friends:
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received–only what you have given.”
