McLENNAN, MARJORIE ANNA MAY 1928 – 2019

Marjorie Anna May McLennan
October 29, 1928 to January 17, 2019

Marjorie (Marj) McLennan passed away peacefully at the age of 90 with her family by her side at Vulcan Extendicare.

Marj was the third of nine children, born on a farm next to the Belly River, south-east of Fort Macleod, to James and Mary McNab. Marj was raised on the family farm and had many stories of going to the country school, tending gardens, riding horses, hauling water from the river and cooking with her mother. She was especially proud of the fact her dad raised the great bucking horse Midnight.

In her early years, Marj worked in a garment factory and was an accomplished seamstress. Her sewing ability was useful in many ways, from making clothes for her children, to sewing a car headliner for her husband Roy’s autobody shop, and in later years, completing many alterations in the Jeans and Sports Shop, which she proudly owned and operated for over 25 years. Marj was particularly proud of the fact she was able to work with her daughter Laurie and two of her grandchildren (Gina and Wade) in the business.

Marj was an accomplished curler and golfer, and spent many golfing holidays with Roy and other family members. Marj and Roy loved the horse races, serving as key providers of the winners’ blankets at Stampede Park in Calgary. Camping was a passion for the family and they spent many summer holidays and weekends throughout Alberta and British Columbia, accompanied by Roy’s faithful hunting dog “Stubby.”

An accomplished baker and gardener, Marj’s shortbread cookies, flowers, strawberries and raspberries were family favourites. Summertime brought garden vegetables, beautiful lilies, peonies and hours of birdwatching in the yard.

After Roy’s passing Marj moved to Calgary to live in McKenzie Towne Retirement Residence. She returned to Vulcan in 2016.

The family would like to thank the excellent team of caregivers at Vulcan Extendicare for their compassionate and loving care provided to Mom.

Marj is survived by her three daughters Laurie (Don) Gottenberg of Vulcan , Chriss Barr of Arrowwood, Gail (Pete) McNiven of Cessford, AB and her son Allen (Sheryl) MacLennan of Mayerthorpe, AB ; seven grandchildren – David Gottenberg, Gina Jordan, Wade Barr, Roy McNiven, Shari McNiven Green, Christa McNiven Dunham, and Ashley MacLennan, fourteen great-grandchildren – Neil and Erin Gottenberg, Hennessey Jordan, Jayde, Ryder and Reagan Barr, Levi and Tyler Barr, Royce and Halle McNiven, Kayla, Greyson and Ethan Dunham, and Noelle Green; one great-great grandchild – Audrey Barr; and five sisters Betty Gregory, Bonnie Murphy, Jean Anderson, Ruby Thomsen, and Grace Kennedy.

Marj was predeceased by Roy, her loving husband of fifty-nine years, son-in-law Allen Barr, grandson James Barr, brother Robert McNab, and sisters Josephine Burrows and Patricia Sterling.

Funeral Mass will be held at the Vulcan St. Andrews Catholic Church on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:30 PM. Interment Vulcan Cemetery.

Any tributes may be made to the Vulcan Extendicare Auxiliary Garden Project (Box 810) or Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation (Box 28, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0).

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.