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Marjorie Jean Hamblin, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother, passed peacefully away on October 3, 2013 at the age of 104 in Fort St. John B.C.

She leaves to mourn and celebrate her amazing life sons: David (Judy), Bruce (Greta), John (Muriel), Bob (Les) and daughter Barbara (Pat), 23 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren and 18 great great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews and friends.

Marjorie was predeceased by husband Fred, 4 brothers, 1 sister, 2 sons Allan and Douglas and 2 grandsons Glen and Ronald.

Marjorie graduated from high school in Winnipeg Manitoba and pursued a nursing career graduating in 1932 at Winnipeg General Hospital. Nurses were a surplus in those days, so she worked a casual rotation at the hospital and privately for the Doctors assisting with home deliveries and caring for moms with new babies.

She married Fred in 1935 and homesteaded in Deer Park where the couple raised their seven children. Over the years work moved the family to Trail, New Westminster and finally settling in Houston in 1955. Marjorie was passionate about nursing and soon her kitchen became a “walk in clinic” where her healing hands and kinds words soothed the ill, dressed the wounded and assisted the “not to be kept waiting babies”. She travelled countless miles to hospitals in Burns Lake and Smithers by taxi driven by Johnny Veenstra to deliver patients for more extensive care. Marjorie was known for her hospitality, her generous pots of tea, fresh bread and home cooked meals. Marjorie enjoyed reading and loved to knit. She was a member of the Houston W.I. and with their help advocated for supplies from the Red Cross so she could keep her clinic free for everyone. Huge boxes would arrive and she would put together emergency bundles for burns and deliveries and bake them for hours in the old wood stove to sterilize them. She loved music, especially Gospel songs and became the United Church organist and played at every function in town for more than 30 years.

Marjorie was windowed in1992 and moved to Fort St. John to live with Barbara and Pat. She made many new friends and quickly picked up a busy social life. She enjoyed travel and hanging out with the family. She was always ready to camp and sit by the fire in the evening and enjoy steaming hot chocolate with a bit of Baileys. In 2004 she moved into the Peace Lutheran Care Centre and on to the new Peace Villa. Again she met new friends and enjoyed a social life around numerous stories and cups of tea.

Marjorie’s family appreciates the excellent care and friendships she received from the dedicated staff at Peace Villa. The volunteer hairdressers and all the musicians who entertain selflessly.

At Marjorie’s request she was cremated and a funeral service will be held at St. Clements Anglican Church in Houston and Interment will be at the new cemetery at the gates of the family farm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Hospital Foundation in Fort St. John for the future building site of an outdoor fire pit. A place where patients, residents and family can relax and enjoy a wiener roast or just sit back and enjoy a relaxing fire and a few good yarns.



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