Ms. Marjorie Louisa Violet Graham was born on Sunday, July 21, 1918 in Roseau, Dominica, British West Indies (BWI) to Mary Limerick and Lauriston Graham. Marjorie’s mother, Mary Limerick, was born on October 1, 1890 in Antigua and then moved to Dominica in 1906. Marjorie’s father, Lauriston Graham was of European decent and was the Captain of a Man of War (battleship) during World War I for the British Army. Marjorie had one (1) sister, Ruth Graham, who passed away at three months old.
Marjorie completed her formal education at Girl’s Grammar School in Dominica, BWI. After grammar school, Marjorie briefly taught nursery school and worked in a local fabric store in Roseau, Dominica. She migrated to Antigua, BWI, in 1951. She began working as a live-in nanny (nursemaid) for Charles and Genevieve Westcott (a Syrian family) in approximately 1952. The Westcott’s had four children, John Westcott, Carolyn (Westcott) Goddard, Paul Westcott and Mary Jean (Westcott) Khoury. This family was very dear to Marjorie’s heart and she raised the Westcott children with great love, nurturing, and tenderness. When Marjorie returned to the village to visit her daughter (Dorothea) and own mother (Mary Limerick) on the weekends, much of her time was spent sharing fond stories about the Westcott Estate. Though her role as employer at the Westcott Estate ended after 16 years, her warm and loving relationship with the Westcott family continued for the rest of her life.
Marjorie continued her career as a nanny / caregiver at various hotels on the island, as well as with private assignments. Because of her reputation for dependability and care with children, she was sought out for her caregiver services by tourists who would come to the beautiful island with their children who required care. On December 18, 1980, Marjorie migrated to America (New York) to assist her daughter in raising her granddaughter, Najah. She briefly returned to Antigua in 1988 and returned to Florida in the 1990s, where she remained.
A devout Anglican, Marjorie’s love for the traditions of the Church of England (also known as the Anglican or Episcopal Church), permeated every aspect of her life. She was christened and confirmed at St. George’s Anglican Church in Roseau, Dominica. Having an ear for music, Marjorie also sang as a soprano in the church choir. When she relocated to Antigua, she attended St. John’s (Anglican) Cathedral and served with the Order of the Daughters of the King (a ministry within the Episcopal / Anglican Church comprised of women who dedicate themselves to life-long prayer, service, and evangelism). Once in America, Marjorie attended St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Queens Village, New York. Marjorie decided to return to Antigua in January 1989 where she attended St. John’s (Anglican) Cathedral. Marjorie was sent back to her daughter in Florida in 1993, where she attended St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Palm Coast, Florida. In her final years, she joined Christ The King Anglican Church in St. Augustine, Florida.
Adept and skilled with the use of her hands, Marjorie enjoyed knitting, tatting, embroidery and needlework. She created many beautiful tablecloths and runners, bedspreads, duvets, and other items. Her intricate stitching and embroidery work will forever remain a part of her legacy. She loved going to the beach, had a natural green thumb which accompanied her love of plants and flowers, enjoyed drinking her daily demitasse coffee, as well as celebrating life with sips of sweet vermouth and wine. She lived life on her terms and embodied a unique spirit of self-preservation.
The Lord peacefully called Marjorie home on Friday, May 15, 2020. She leaves to cherish her enduring legacy: Daughter: Dorothea Olivia Joan Roberts-Gibson; Grand-Daughters: Najah Nzinga (Gibson) Adams and Tamara Ianthe Gibson-Alonso (Daniel Jorge Hitchman Alonso, grandson-in-law); Grandson: Laurence Kalomo Robert Gibson; Great-Grandchildren: Elliott Elijah Adams, Jr.; Akeem Dominic Vincent; Eliana Grace Adams and Starla Faith Vincent; a favored God-daughter, Thora Dyer-Henry along with many dear family members, friends, and loved ones.
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