Marjorie passed peacefully on December 2nd at Arrowsmith Lodge in Parksville, with family at her side after a 5 year struggle with dementia.
The vivacious and charismatic matriarch of the Marquette family will be dearly missed by sons; Gregory (Miki), Matthew (Lorrie), Kevin (Denise), Christopher (Christie), 9 grandchildren and 4 great granddaughters. Sisters; Barbara, Francis and Helaine (Darwin).
Predeceased by husband Ray Marquette and brother Donald Clear. Marjorie was the eldest of 5 children born in Victoria and had fond early childhood memories of time spent with her grandparents at Wendover, the Butler farm in Saanich. Marj had a special bond with her Aunt Vivian and Uncle Buck and spent many summers sunning and swimming at their Hornby Island cottage.
Marj married RCAF Cpl. Joseph Raymond Marquette in 1951 and thereafter began a country wide adventure for the young military family with postings in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Whitehorse, Halifax and finally the Comox Valley.
It was while in Winnipeg that their music legacy began to take shape with the initial formation of the "Trademarqs" orchestra. Marj sang and played various percussion instruments including the vibes while Ray sang and played the guitar. The band would be reformed in each city along the way with the Halifax version being the most successful, culminating in an album recording.
After settling in Courtenay they continued performing and were local favourites. Marj was a long time employee of Courtenay Drugs on 5th Street and later became a dispensing optician with Sears optical in Prince George and Nanaimo.
She retired at age 71 and returned to the family homestead in Courtenay. Marj was a volunteer with the Red Cross and was known as a kind caregiver. One of Marj's regrets in life was not becoming a nurse. She was a wonderful caregiver to Ray in his final weeks and to her friend Bob Hilton in his final months.
Marj enjoyed her daily walks around Puntledge Park and loved doting on her cat named Mya. Marj was a long time member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, achieving a Masters level. In addition to the "Trademarq's", Marj and Ray were members of the CoVal Choristers musical theatre group in the 1970's, often performing with the legendary Sid Williams.
Many thanks to the staff at Arrowsmith Lodge for their exceptional care in mum's final years.
A Celebration of Marjorie's Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Piercy's-Mt. Washington Funeral Home (440 England Ave., Courtenay, BC).
Please join us in remembering Marj by visiting our memorial at www.piercysmtwashingtonfuneral.com.
Memorial donations in Marj's name may be made to the Alzheimer Society, www.alzheimer.ca.