MARCELLA PARMELEE DAFOE -

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARCELLA PARMELEE DAFOE 1898 - 2000 On Sunday, March 26, after a long journey, Marcella Parmelee Dafoe reached her final destination in her 102nd year. She was born on October 20, 1898 in Montreal, Quebec, and came to Winnipeg with her parents John Wesley and Alice Dafoe in 1901, residing first at 509 Spence Street and later at 1325 Wellington Crescent and 223 Cordova. She was predeceased by her parents and by her brothers Edwin, John, Van, Sydney and William and by her sisters Mary Alice, Elizabeth and Dorothy. Miss Dafoe attended Winnipeg schools and graduated as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba in 1923. She taught school briefly, but her gentle nature made it impossible for her to impose discipline and she soon retired to pursue other scholarly interests and to assist in the care of a growing group of nephews and nieces. She was a research assistant to her father, J.W. Dafoe, former Editor-in-Chief of the Winnipeg Free Press, and helped him with the preparation of his biography of Sir Clifford Sifton, published in 1931 and on other projects. She was a longtime member of the Institute on International Affairs, the Twenty Club, the University Womens Club and other literary, social and political organizations, producing many essays and studies over the years including papers on Proust, C.P. Snow and matters relating to the United Nations and international affairs. She was a lifelong member of the Anglican Church, being active in St. Matthews Church, St. Aidans and various Church organizations. During both world wars she was involved in work for the Red Cross. She spent her long life quietly doing good and putting the interests of others ahead of her own. She looked for the best in everyone she encountered on her long journey. She never married, but served as a much-loved second mother to troupes of nieces, nephews, cousins, second-cousins-once-removed, great nephews and nieces, a young girl escaping the blitz in wartime London or any child who needed a kind word, a game of cards, a nice chat, advice on what to read, a lesson in candy-making or a treat at the theatre or at a concert. Marcie always had time. She spent many happy summers at family retreats at Hillhead, Quebec, and, from 1911, at the family camp at Ponemah Beach on Lake Winnipeg. She was a intrepid traveller, crossing the Atlantic several times and visiting extensively in Canada and the United States, but she was always happy to come home again to Winnipeg. She was the last survivor of her generation of the family, born in the nineteenth century and living into the twenty-first, but her last years were clouded by the troubles of old age and at times she seemed impatient to continue her journey from shadows into light. Thanks to the staff of the 11th floor, Central Park Lodge. Following cremation there will be a private family service at the family plot, Elmwood cemetery. "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 28, 2000