MARJORIE MAY MALCOLMSON

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MARJORIE MAY MALCOLMSON On July 30, 2009 at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, at age 88. Marjorie was born March 1, 1921 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, the second of four children and sole daughter of George and May Davies. Shortly thereafter, the Davies family relocated to Lethbridge where George took on management of the Lethbridge Iron Works foundry. Marjorie spent her early years growing up in Lethbridge. In 1943 she married Paul Shelton, an American flyer who came to Canada to join the war effort. Marjorie was widowed when Paul was killed in action a few months later. Marjorie then moved to Toronto to work for a brief stint. In 1945 she met George Morton (Mort) Malcolmson and the couple married in December of that year. Settling in Winnipeg, Mort and Marjorie had three children, George Brian (born 1950), John Davies (born 1952) and Leslie May (born 1955). Marjorie's years in Winnipeg were spent caring for and raising her family. Following Marjorie's bout with tuberculosis and a recuperative stay at a sanatorium in Ninette, Manitoba, the couple bought a home on Assiniboine Avenue in St. James only to have to evacuate months later with baby Brian in tow in the face of the great Red and Assiniboine River flood of 1950. Marjorie was an excellent hostess who enjoyed entertaining family and friends at her St. James home. She was a tasteful dresser with a flair for colour, style and wardrobe coordination. And she also had a long time love of flowers, and of decorating her porches or balconies with different plant and floral arrangements. Marjorie was known for her strength of character, her perseverance and her determination in the face of life's many challenges. She also had a strong sense of commitment to her community and spent many hours volunteering with organizations such as the YMCA, the Shriners Hospital and the Children's Hospital. Following the death of Mort in July, 1969, Marjorie returned to the workforce with jobs at Birks Jewelers and James Richardson and Sons Ltd. until 1978 when she moved to Vancouver. The following year she relocated to Lethbridge. In August, 1982, she married Raymond Nathan Bower and the couple stayed on in that city. Lethbridge retirement years were happy times spent with family and friends. Ray and Marjorie ventured south each year to spend winters in Palm Desert, California. The Lethbridge period was also marked by frequent trips across the country to visit family. Ray and Marjorie took great joy in arranging a number of family reunions involving both sides of their blended family. Reunions were held at Hecla Island, Manitoba; Collingwood, Ontario; Clear Lake, Manitoba; Kananaskis, Alberta; Parksville, BC; and Lethbridge, Alberta. In addition to Marjorie's children and their families, these events were attended by several members of husband Ray's family. In 2002, Marjorie and Ray moved to Winnipeg to be closer to daughter Leslie and family. Following Ray's death in October, 2006, Marjorie lived by herself in the Sturgeon Creek area until the illness that led to her passing. Marjorie was predeceased by husbands Paul, Mort and Ray, by her parents George and May and by her brothers Don, John and George. She is survived by son Brian Malcolmson of Ottawa, Ontario (and wife Suzanne), by son John Malcolmson of Burnaby, BC (and wife Marion and grandson Calen), and by daughter Leslie Malcolmson of Winnipeg, Manitoba (and husband Simon and grandsons Malcolm and Alexander). She is also survived by Wendy Bower (wife of Ray's son Michael who passed away in 2000), by Michael and Wendy's daughter Katrina, by Ray's daughter Barbara Bower, by Barbara's son Bryan (and wife Raechel and son Nathan), and by Barbara's daughter Christina (and husband Andrew). The family would like to thank the staff of Sturgeon Creek Retirement Residence and Riverview Health Centre Palliative Care Unit for the care and support given to Marjorie during her final time. A memorial service for Marjorie is planned for 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 4 in the Vasa Lund Estates common room, 5445 Roblin Boulevard, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that a contribution be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 07, 2009