Marie Josephe Rajotte (nee Dorge)

Marie Josephe Rajotte (nee Dorge) born in Ste. Agathe, Manitoba, Canada March 3, 1932. Daughter of Josephat Dorge and Alexina Dorge (nee Campeau). Marie had 12 siblings with 6 brothers and 6 sisters: Sister Agathe (we lovingly called her Auntie Sister), Agnes, Juliette, Irene, Denis, Leonie, Leon, Yvonne, Elie, Edward, Marcel. (Marie Therese deceased as a child.) She is survived by her dear youngest brother Richard Dorge and many beloved nieces, nephews and relatives by marriage.

She is survived by her 3 children Gisele Patrick (Bill Patrick), Mona Grelck (Joe Grelck) and Robert Rajotte (Susan Rajotte) and their families

The Dorge family loved music and singing. They lived near the Red River and Marie's favorite folk song was “The Red River Valley”:

From this valley they say you are goin’

I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile

For they say you are takin’ the sunshine

That has brightened our pathway the while

Marie Josephe Dorge and Roland Jules Rajotte were married in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on January 9th, 1951. They were married nearly 55 years until Roland's death October 16th, 2006. Roland and Marie had 2 children when they boarded the train bound for Los Angeles from Winnipeg; Gisele Rajotte Patrick and Mona Lorraine Marie Rajotte Grelck. Robert J. Rajotte was born in California in 1959.

As a young family including Gisele and Mona they left Winnipeg for Los Angeles in 1953 by train to expand Roland’s expertise in parts sales directed at fleet vehicles such as LAPD and Department of Water and Power.

Marie was then able to focus all of her time on being the best mother possible to her cherished three children. Marie was multi-talented playing both piano and accordion by ear, singing, dancing the Polka and more; gardening, sewing, crocheting and multiple other craft disciplines. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren loved her Canadian cooking and the desserts with her cookie recipes always pleased the crowd.

Marie relished in small weekend getaways with our dad, family road trips to Canada and trips to Missouri where beautiful memories were made visiting Mona and Robert's children and grandchildren. She loved her outings with Gisele, Mona (Vegas runs and San Diego) and Robert.

Marie volunteered at San Gabriel Community Convalescent for several years as Activity Director. She loved her work and the residents loved Marie.

Marie not only gave 110% to her family, but gave equal time and care to the Catholic Church both as a Eucharist Minister coordinator and assuming responsibility for keeping the vestments and altar clothes clean, ironed and mended when necessary. Marie’s altar cloths never, ever had a wrinkle or stain in them!

As a grandmother there are no words to describe her joy of spending time with her 6 grandchildren and their families: Ryan Grelck (Jennifer Sasahara), Adam Grelck (Katie Grelck), Lauren Grelck Gutting (Garret Gutting), William Patrick, Michelle Rajotte and Melissa Rajotte Hanson (Chris Hanson). When they were all together, she was shepherding them, feeding them and using her dry wit to entertain each of them. She kept a photo of Ryan, her first born grandchild handy and asked everyone “Guess who this is?” “It is Ryan, he made me a grandmother!” She puffed with pride each time she called herself Grandma.

Great Grandchildren were a special bonus for mom. She kissed and tenderly held each infant as she met them for the first time and reveled in their play as she watched them grow. Ian Christopher Grelck, Jaden Gutting, Ava Grelck, Aubrey Hanson, Kennedy Hanson, Raegan Hanson, Carter Gutting and Winter Rajotte.

We found this in her many prayer cards and we know she believed each word:

SAFELY HOME

I am home in Heaven, dear ones:

Oh, so happy and bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light.

All the pain and the grief is over,

Every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever,

Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I am so calmly

Trod the valley of the shade?

Oh! But Jesus’love illumined

Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me

In that was so hard to tread;

And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,

Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,

For I love you dearly still:

Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,

Pray to trust our Father’s Will.

There is work still waiting for you,

So you must not idly stand;

Do it now, while life remaineth -

You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When that work is all completed,

He will gently call you Home;

Oh, the rapture of that meeting,

Oh, the joy to see you come!

Marie and the Last Word...Forget Me Not Note

Mom hung a fabric note on the hanger of the dress she chose to be buried in (she wore it to her granddaughter Lauren’s wedding) that read "Forget Me Not". Mom...we could not ever forget you!