Marjorie Scott


August 29, 1922 – March 9, 2012

Marjorie was born in Lethbridge after two brothers Edwin and “Jackie”. Her parents, John Richard Sayers and Ellen May (Nellie) Thurlow, had fallen in love in the farmlands of Southern Alberta after both emigrated from England. Her parents were strong role models. Just before her birth, the family moved from their homestead after years of poor crops, but her father refused to declare bankruptcy, returning to his bricklayer trade to pay their debts. He gave early support to gender equality by insisting their new home be in Nellie’s name as he owned their car. Their very loving home was buffeted by hardships, including the Great Depression, Jackie’s death in his 20s after a life of precarious health, and the challenges facing Edwin, who was four when a farm accident caused brain injury. Marjorie was an excellent student, enthusiastic, energetic and ever smiling. She was also shy and small in stature, nicknamed “Shrimp”, a title she embraced in her email address later in life. After high school, she began a secretarial career. Her shorthand remained legendary into her 80s.

With independent salaries, Marjorie and her best friend, Marie, travelled to Vancouver for their first “real” holiday. It was wartime and Marie suggested her air force boyfriend bring a blind date for Marjorie. It is family legend that Marjorie and George Scott bonded quickly when neither wanted to take a second turn on the giant wooden roller coaster at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds. Like many wartime courtships, George and Marge corresponded throughout his tours in England and India. They married in November 1946. Moving to Edmonton, they lived initially with his parents; she quickly became an integral part of a seven sibling family. An Anglican, Marge joined Strathcona Presbyterian and her mother-in-law took her to a Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) meeting, two affiliations which profoundly shaped her life. In 1948, they moved into their new home just before the birth of Laura. Devoted parents, their lives were centred on family and church. In 1955, George Richard was born. After George started school, Marge resumed her secretarial career with many years as executive secretary to a consultant /author on alcoholism treatment and later as secretary at Strathcona. She remained active in WMS and became Strathcona’s first female Elder after 1967. She continued as an Elder until 80 when she also retired as Clerk of Session.

In 1974, Marge and George welcomed son-in-law David Kilgour and in 1975 took into their fold Kalman and Judit Kovacs when they arrived from Hungary. Overjoyed at the births of grandchildren Margot, Eileen and David, they also spread grandparental love to Catherine, Greg, Christina and Anita Kovacs. Sadly, in 1984, her beloved husband died at 66 from Parkinson’s and Marge began a new course. In 1985, the arrival of grandchild Hilary marked the beginning of many adventures and travels with her friends from the Horizon Village condo and her family, including visits to grandchildren working or studying around the world. She again stretched her grandmother wings to welcome Tierra, Vladimir, Nathaniel and Ella. She made one more move to Rosedale Manor, where she made many friends, who supported her in her final years. After much anticipation, she celebrated the birth of great grandson Malachy in 2011. The final years were enriched by the daily devotion of her son George, who made her continuing independence possible. Family surrounded Marjorie in her final days and she died in the arms of her loving children.