Today although our hearts are filled with sorrow, we are most grateful for the years we were privileged to know one of the gentlest, kindest souls imaginable. Our mother, wife, grandmother and great grandmother, Marjorie Alice Feagan, passed away on August 28, 2019.
By all accounts Marjorie passed on peacefully. She spent a portion of the afternoon sitting quietly outdoors in the sun, enjoying the garden around her trees nearby. When she returned indoors to her room, she passed away moments later.
Born in Edgerton Alberta, Marjorie came from very humble beginnings. She was an only child and in the early years her family struggled to make ends meet. after graduating from school, she continued her education and became a psychiatric nurse in Coquitlam, British Columbia, before moving to Whitehorse, Yukon where she continued her nursing career.
Marjorie loved nature and the outdoors. It was during her pursuit of these interests in Whitehorse that she met a young Royal Canadian Police officer, Hugh Feagan. Hugh was transferred to the Northwest Territories and Marjorie followed him to his posting in Aklavik, where they would be married and had their first child, Wendy.
While in Aklavik, Marjorie served as a senior girls supervisor at the Anglican residential school. She became more of a mother or older sister to the girls, going with them to the bush, learning to hunt muskrat, make crafts and beadwork. Her friendships with many of the girls lasted decades, spanning her many moves across Canada as an R.C.M.P. wife.
Up until her death, she was still in contact with several of the girls who had become life long friends.
While living in Fort McPherson, elders would frequently stop by for tea and cookies. On several occasions she held larger gatherings at the small McPherson home where stories were exchanged for hours. Treasured recordings of these gatherings were later presented to the community . Marjorie performed many tasks not expected of R.C.M.P. wives in other parts Canada. She guarded female prisoners, drove dog team, took her two children for day trips into the bush, and became part of the community around her.
Marjorie loved all living creatures. Whether it was feeding blue fox by hand, taming squirrels, providing feed to birds throughout the winter or simply watching nature around her, she enjoyed being a part of life. It seemed so appropriate that someone so gentle and caring yet so strong would have such a connection to all living things.
Marjorie made lasting connections with people in every community where her husband was posted. This included Whitehorse, Aklavik, Fort McPherson , Inuvik, Ottawa, St. John's, Yellowknife, Charlottetown, and Halifax.
Up until her later years, she would spend hours every Christmas sending hundreds of Christmas cards to friends from one coast of Canada to the other.
Marjorie had many talents that folks were not aware of because she never boasted or made a big deal about her accomplishments. She was a talented lefty in softball, a crack shot with a rifle, played the accordion and organ, skied, excelled at many crafts, and hosted small gatherings with tea and bannock as well as formal dinner parties for dignitaries.
It was Marjorie's wish that no funeral service be held.
It was her request that in lieu of flowers or donations to any organization, people simply do a kind deed for someone in her memory.
Marjorie is survived by her husband Hugh , Children Wendy and Rob, grandchildren Robin, Joshua, Michael, Tandia and Maya and her great grandchildren Thomas and Jolene.
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