Marjorie Doreen (NÉE BEESLEY) Duke

She was born in 1924 in Shoreham-by-Sea, England.In her school years, she was an accomplished tennis and net ball player. When World War II broke out in 1939 she joined the WRNS (Woman’s Royal Naval Service).

In 1941 she met her husband, Lloyd, the love of her life, who was serving as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force based in England. Lloyd cemented the relationship when he brought Marjorie aircraft enamel so she could continue to paint her nails. They married in 1943. Shortly thereafter, Marjorie travelled to Halifax as one of the first war brides and then took the train to the family farm in Saskatchewan. Lloyd subsequently joined Marjorie in 1945 and worked in the airline business over 40 years, while Marjorie worked in retail, her favourite being the women’s clothing department at Woodwards. They lived in California, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Sherwood Park, and Richmond. At every stop they made great friends who remained part of their lives forever.

Together, they had 3 sons, Bob (Charlotte), Michael (Joann) and Jim (Sharon) who were raised in Edmonton and Sherwood Park where Marjorie attended endless hockey and baseball games watching her boys and grandkids. She was a huge Blue Jays fan and loved to watch baseball, tennis and curling, usually with a glass of wine or a gin & tonic.

From 1969, Marjorie and Lloyd lived in Richmond, B.C. Marjorie could always be found in the garden or entertaining her neighbours and friends on the patio, many of whom she met while she worked at Woodwards. Mom loved to live by the ocean and had a special affinity for sitting by the water, even if it was just for a few minutes. Throughout her life she maintained a home filled with love.

Mom lived her life to the fullest and she will be dearly missed by her family and numerous friends. We will always remember her sense of humour and how she ”always loved a party”.

Marjorie will be buried at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church near Sidney, B.C. where her grave will look over the ocean.