Marjorie was born, September 20, 1926, the youngest of 10 children, in 1926, at the family farm in Yellow Grass. At an early age of 4 she lost her father to Tuberculosis, and later a beloved older sister to the same disease. As a young girl. Marjorie learned and loved to play the piano. She found great enjoyment playing well into her 90's. Her favorite piece to play was “Bless This House”.
After completing her education at Yellow Grass School she went on to work at the Fort San near Fort Qu'appelle. This was also, where her sister Alice had spent many years before her passing.
Following this, Marjorie began nurse's training in Weyburn. She graduated as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in 1949 and it was there she met and married Jim Richards in 1952.
They raised their 3 children; Darrell, Debbie, and Rod in Yellow Grass, later moving to Melfort, where she met many wonderful neighbours and dear friends and treasured their friendships for many years.
Marjorie loved to fish, and she would have the camper packed on Friday afternoons, ready to spend many weekends at their favorite lakes. She always managed to grow the biggest garden in the smallest garden spot, canning and preserves were the winter's rewards.
Marjorie was always most comfortable in her kitchen where the fresh baking was endless and the newest magazine recipe often appeared on the supper table, as well as many other family favorite meals .Her winters were filled with quilting, crocheting, bingo, and puzzle books.
After her husband retired, they spent some time travelling and seeing much of Canada, coast to coast, with train travel always their being their preferred choice.
Despite an early onset hearing loss, and with sheer determination and a lot of stubbornness, Marjorie continued to stay independent in her own suite for 5 years after the passing of Jim. There were many comical, as well as frustrating attempts at phone calls over those years.
Although technology never became a part of her world, she would ask to record little videos to send to people. They always went the same way where she would wave hello and ask a question, wait an appropriate time for a response, then say “that's good” and proceed with another question, pause and same response, “that's good”. This continued until she ran out of questions and would wave and say goodbye.
Although this declining and debilitating hearing loss made her world small, she lived it large with her quick wit, squeals of excitement at seeing company, and a hearty boisterous laugh.
Marjorie was predeceased by her husband, Jim Richards; parents, Juluis and Clara Wilke; son, Darrell Richards; granddaughters, Leah Richards and Lauren Richards; siblings, Arthur (Huldine) Wilke, Alice Wilke, Gerhardt Wilke, Irene Wilke, Dorothy (Ross) Hannah, Margaret Wilke, Clarence Wilke, and Irvin Wilke.
Marjorie will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Ruby Wilke; daughter in law, Jennifer Richards of Ottawa, ON and her son, Simon (Stephanie) Richards and their children Sebastian, Willow; daughter, Debbie (Barry) Praski of Gronlid, SK and their children, Wesley Praski, Erin (Michael) Holodniuk and children, Jacey and Ayden and Adam (Paige) Praski; son, Rod (Trudy) Richards of Yellow Grass, SK and their children, Ryley (Jen) Richards and their children, Elle, Boe, Brandt; Lindsey (Cody) Nichol and their children, Jax and Kane, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
“Marjorie was a loving Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandmother. She will be missed.”
A Memorial Service was held on Friday, November 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. from Grace United Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. A Private Family Interment will take place at a later date.
Donations in memory of Marjorie may be made to the Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop 1800 Ebel Road, Weyburn, SK S4H 1V3.
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