Marjorie Catherine Pope

Marjorie was born in Perth, Scotland. She went to live in London at age 15 with her beloved stepmother Lucy and her father Bill McDonald. Marjorie lived through the blitz of London. Mom married our dad (William) Bill in 1947 after the end of WWII. They moved to Ontario, Canada in 1952. Arrived in North Vancouver in 1959, Denman Island via Hornby Island in 1981 and finally Comox in 2005. Our family has had a long association with Hornby as well. We were members of Heron Rocks Coop for 30 years and Mom knew many people on Hornby Island.

Marjorie’s many friends knew she was always ready to put the kettle on, make tea, put her feet up, and listen. There was some magical quality to that listening. Throughout Mom’s long life she never lost her loving compassion for others. She didn’t judge – she simply got alongside and was there for whatever was needed. Marjorie cared deeply for others – and they knew it. Mom came from a childhood of deprivation and difficulty – but far from making her bitter it provided her with an abiding sense of empathy. Marjorie had a special affinity for children. They found her wherever she lived. They quite simply loved

her and she loved them back – unreservedly. Kids who needed love and acceptance (including many foster children) found it at our kitchen table with many cups of tea and honest talk.

If you spent any significant time with Marjorie you would hear one of her many stories. These could include stories of her childhood in Scotland, about the events of the Blitz of London during WWII, stories

of animals or stories of her faith. Her stories were a part of her – and we are sure that many who knew her will pass some of these on to others.

Marjorie had deep faith in God and attended many different churches with many different denominations in her life. She refused to be buttonholed and attended as the spirit guided her. Mom practiced her Christianity, as she would often say, by “putting love into action”. Marjorie volunteered at the Courtenay Soup Kitchen for over 20 years. Mom also spent many years connected to the Salvation Army in North Vancouver. She loved Denman United Church and taught Sunday school for many years.

Marjorie was an accomplished artist. She apprenticed and trained at Fox’s Studio in London and worked as a commercial artist from before WWII through the 60’s. She specialized in airbrushing B&W photos into full color – now a lost art. She made lovely hand built pottery and later developed her own technique of soft felting wool into remarkable works of art. Mom shared her creativity with us – whatever she was doing we could and did participate. She would take us and any other kids that happened along into nature to paint and draw.

Mom encouraged our personal agency. She was an advocate for us when needed but was not overly protective. She taught us to not only listen to our instincts, but to act on them. Marjorie practiced this kind of solidarity with all her friends – young and old. Her counsel was sought by literally 100’s of people. While she was consistently kind, she did not allow herself to be taken advantage of. Marjorie had an intense sense of personal freedom.

When dementia arrived, Mom moved into assisted living at Cummings Seniors Home in Comox for 5 years. She moved to Cumberland Lodge in 2021. She found and gave kindness and love, and met many new friends (as always) in the last years of her long life. Mom fell in early July and did not recover, dying peacefully July 24th. We are so very grateful to her many wonderful caregivers at both Cummings Home and Cumberland Lodge.

Marjorie had a beautiful soul. Mom’s special love touched many, many others in her long life. If community gatherings permit, we will have an event for Marjory in the fall.

Hale and Farewell Marjorie Catherine Pope Here’s tae ye.

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