MARJORIE ELLEN TERRY

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MARJORIE ELLEN TERRY

(nee SPENCE)

If a steel-willed determination to live and a heart full of love could have kept her, we would not be sharing our sadness nor announcing the passing of Marjorie Ellen Terry (Spence) at the age of 78 on October 25, 2024 at BRHC in Brandon, MB.

Born on June 15, 1946 in Deloraine, MB to John “Jack” P. Spence and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Moore, Marjorie Ellen spent her early years playing with her older brother, Edward, climbing trees, scaling granaries, and getting into general mischief. Curling, hockey, ringette, and fastball were her interests as she grew, and she helped on the family farm. Mom and Edward learned early to be resilient siblings as their mom died during their childhood in 1959 and their dad followed in 1970.

Mom’s first career choice was to be a nurse but she became homesick while taking her training in Winnipeg. She decided to switch studies to the teaching program at Brandon University. For five years, she taught and even became the principal at the Napinka school. However, her heart’s call to pursue nursing motivated her return to training and she graduated as an R.N. from the School of Nursing in 1973 at Brandon, MB. This was mom’s true calling - to care for others whether it was pretending to sit on a resident’s lap to make them laugh, providing comfort to families, or advocating as MNU President of her local workplace. Her 40 year career as a nurse connected her to countless residents and families from her start at the Brandon General Hospital to her transition to Charge Nurse at Central Park Lodge where she remained until retirement. Mom returned part-time to nursing at Dinsdale Personal Care Home for a few years before relinquishing her license to assume the greater position of “Grandma”.

On August 2, 1975, Marjorie married James Terry and they raised their three children, Stacey, Shelley, and Shane in the Cottonwood Acres area. Mom enjoyed having a yard filled with flower gardens and growing vegetables. She was an avid reader, loved drinking pots of coffee, hated snakes with a passion, and made the best apple crisps. She worked tirelessly and spent her “spare” time sewing, crocheting, gardening, baking, and canning. In her later years, she also tried her hands at playing accordion and piano and her feet with ballroom dancing and clogging.

Mom was actively involved in the Douglas community as a member of WI, the Douglas-Lawrence Women’s Group, and the United Church. She helped to start the Douglas Happy Helper’s Club and became a 4H leader in sewing and cooking. She volunteered for fowl suppers and school activities, and she carted her children to countless music lessons, sporting events, and band concerts. She was a “mom” her family could always count on and showed her love through acts of service. Mom’s greatest joys arrived in 2012, 2014, and 2017 when her three grandchildren were born. She spent countless hours babysitting, making cookies, and reading bedtime stories. Although Mom dearly wanted to watch her grandchildren grow further, her abundant love for them is forever sealed in their hearts.

Marj is survived by her husband Jim; her children, Stacey, Shelley (Dale), and Shane (Liane); her birth-daughter Darla (Edward); her brother Edward; her niece Debra; her beloved grandchildren, Corbin, Ryker, and Mylah; and her many cousins and extended family.

Marj was predeceased by her parents, Jack and Lizzie; her sister-in-law Lorna; her nephew Darren; and her great-nephews, Gage and Logan. She will be deeply missed by all her family, friends, and loved ones.

Donations in memory of Marj may be made to WMCC or the Assiniboine Center Palliative Care Ward. The family wish to express their sincerest appreciation to all the health care staff at BRHC and the Palliative Care Ward who cared for mom.

Messages of condolence may be made

online at www.wheatlandfs.com



Smith Funeral Home

204-747-2088

MARJORIE ELLEN TERRY

(née SPENCE)

Marjorie Ellen Terry (née Spence) died on October 25, 2024 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre at the age of 78. She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Jim; children, Stacey, Shelley (Dale) and Shane (Liane) as well as their families. A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024 at the Waskada Cemetery in Waskada, Manitoba at 1:00 p.m. For your comfort please bring a lawn chair. Lunch will follow at the Waskada Lions Club Community Hall. Donations in memory of Marj may be made to WMCC or the Assiniboine Centre Palliative Care Ward.

Messages of condolence may be made online at www.wheatlandfs.com.



Smith Funeral Home

204-747-2088 www.wheatlandfs.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 30, 2024, Oct 30, 2024, Nov 02, 2024