MARJORIE ELAINE GOODMAN (WATERHOUSE)

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MARJORIE ELAINE GOODMAN (WATERHOUSE) Peacefully, on Saturday, April 20, 2013, Marjorie passed away at West Park Manor Personal Care Home, where she had been resident for the past three years. Marjorie will be very lovingly remembered by her devoted husband Gil; her children, Théo Blondal, Jim (Marie McKie) Blondal, Gillian Goodman and Erika (Michael Forint) Goodman; her grandchildren, Michael (Kristin Garner) Blondal, Thor Blondal, Kirsten Blondal, Olivia Blondal, Hannah Goodman, Magnus Forint, Parker Goodman-Poschadel and Sigrun Forint, and her great-grandchild Ayla Blondal (born March 17, 2013), as well as many other family and friends touched by her kindness and generosity. Marjorie was born in Abernethy, SK on May 13, 1927, daughter to Frank and Emma Waterhouse, and sister to Lyle, Jim and Lorne. The family settled in Estevan, SK where her Dad was the Bank of Commerce manager; her Mom a nurse. After her father's promotion to bank inspector, the family moved to Winnipeg where Marjorie attended Isaac Brock and Gordon Bell. She was a true beauty who worked as a model in her youth. Soon after marrying and having two sons, she found herself raising them as a working single mom, first as a salesperson at The Bay, and later as a secretary at the law firm of White, Walker & Irish (Inkster, Walker, Irish & Hughes), where Marjorie would meet the love of her life. Marj and Gil were married on March 1, 1963. She devoted herself to the job of being mom after the birth of her daughters, but as the girls got older, she returned to work as a dedicated volunteer for the CNIB, transcribing textbooks into Braille. As a child, Marj enjoyed Waterhouse family fishing and camping trips to Falcon Lake, and would later return with her own children year after year to the Toniata Beach campground, first with her sons, and later with Gil and the girls. Her kids and grandkids continue to spend summers at the Toniata campsite, continuing the tradition, now over three generations. In the 1960s and 1970s, the family travelled all over North America, including almost yearly train or car trips through the Rockies to the West Coast, as well as marathon family car trips to Florida, Arizona, Southern California, and the Maritimes. In the 1980s and beyond, Marj and Gil travelled extensively, including many European destinations. Whether at the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery or the British Museum, or dozens of other cultural treasures, Marj enjoyed indulging her love of art and antiques. While in New York, London, and Toronto she delighted in the magic of experiencing the very best of live theatre. Back at home in her happy Charleswood abode of over 40 years, Marj's favourite pastimes included collecting antiques, sipping Earl Grey tea, and working on, or watching the deer in her beloved big back yard - especially when joined by her cherished grandchildren. On nights out, she and Gil enjoyed many years as season ticket holders to the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Prairie Theatre Exchange and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. They were long time members of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. More than anything, Marj was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose beauty inside and out set the standard for caring, style, and grace. Marj and Gil celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary last month in the company of all their children and grandchildren, a testament to their enduring love. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her. Sincere thanks to the exceptional staff at West Park Manor for their superb care. A memorial service to honour Marjorie, followed by a reception will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave., across from Brookside Cemetery. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marjorie's name to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4G2. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 27, 2013