Marjorie OLDCORN

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OLDCORN: Marjorie Jean. Peacefully, our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2010, at her residence in Fairview Home, at the age of 87. Marjorie was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, John, in October 1986 and all of her siblings. Mom loved her family and is survived by her sons Robert (Ji), Claude (Darlene), grandchildren Donald (Naomi), Malcolm (Lesya), JoAnn(Ian), Ross, Claudia (Todd), Dallas (Lynsey). The great grandchildren Taya, John, Lila, Clair, and Forrest were very special to Marjorie. Marjorie Jean Oldcorn was born January 7, 1923 in Minnedosa. Her dad was a farmer in the Cordova district and she was the youngest girl in a family of five children. She had three sisters and one brother, all who predeceased her. Marj’s mom had a number of health issues, so the girls grew up looking after her. They became adept in the home at an early age out of necessity. Marj went to school in Cordova and Mentmore. Then because of her achievements in school, and on the recommendation of a teacher, Marj went to Franklin for Grade 11. She had to board there for the year to attend the school. Following her education, she took a secretarial job at the Manitoba Legislature. She might have pursued a career there but she had met John Oldcorn at Franklin and fallen in love. They were married in 1943 and soon after, began farming in the Forrest District, purchasing the Oldcorn farm from James Grant. Marj wasn’t a stranger to life on the farm and she pitched in to help John whenever needed. She and John raised two sons on the farm, Robert and Claude. During these busy years, Mom was the one who often ran the boys to their various activities, which included baseball. She was always a competitive person by nature and often coached from the bleachers or in the car, after the game! She never missed a game if it was possible to go. During these years, she was active in the Forrest United Church, teaching Sunday School for several years. She also taught 4-H at one time. When her boys grew up, she was delighted to have Claude and Darlene just across the yard. When Dad died in 1986, Mom lost her sparkle. He was the love of her life and she never really stopped missing him. However, life has a way of carrying us, whether we want to go on or not, and as the years went by, Mom made new friends. She enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Sanford Cochrane, whom she met on one of her winters in the south. After Sanford died, Mom developed another great relationship with Cliff Thompson, and spent some wonderful times with him too. Mom was a wonderful cook. She baked amazing buns, bread and made the best pastry! She knew how to make raspberry pie, which is a family favorite. Robert said that when he was young and the family was at the rink helping with the still- happening suppers there, he would always ask the kitchen ladies for a piece of his mom’s pie. Mom spent a fair amount of time in rinks in her day, not just as a volunteer, either. She loved to curl and was an avid competitor. She skipped the rink and although her shot may not have always been bang on, she had a great ability to read the ice and she had a keen desire to win. She played in all sorts of bonspiels all over the province and was a member of the Brandon Curling Club for many years. She also loved to play cards, especially Bridge and 500. Mom spent many a good time with friends and family playing cards. However, it was serious business for her. She had a temper and it raised its head from time to time in games. Mom stayed on the farm until December of 2004, when she moved to Parkview. Her final home was in Fairview. She made new friends once again and enjoyed her time there. Mom especially appreciated the visits from a few close friends and the friends from Forrest United Church. The last few years of Mom’s life have been difficult, so we are relieved that her struggle is over and she is with Dad once again. A celebration of Marjorie’s life took place on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 2:00 in Forrest United Church, with Rev. Barb Jardine presiding. Donations in Mom’s memory may be made to Forrest United Church (Memorial Fund) Box 48, Forrest, Manitoba R0K 0W0 or Canadian Society (Breast Cancer Research), 415 First Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 2W8.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 18, 2010