Donnelly, Marjorie Agnes

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DONNELLY: Marjorie Agnes (nee McMullan) passed away peacefully in her home with family at her side on Monday, June 28 2021. She was 98. Marj was born in Brandon to Irish immigrants Agnes and Robert McMullan on May 17, 1923. She grew up in Brandon in a close-knit family as the middle child of 5 children. The family spent many fun summers camping at Kirkham's Bridge, Sandy Lake and Clear Lake. A happy home life came to an abrupt end when her mother died when Marj was 15 and her father died when she was 17, leaving her older brother Bob and his new wife Eleanor (nee Donnelly) to look after Marj and her siblings. This brought the siblings even closer as they navigated the world without parents. After graduating from Brandon Collegiate Institute, Marj attended business college before being hired at the Power Commission (now Manitoba Hydro), where she worked in the office until her marriage to Jack. She met the love of her life through her brother Bob's marriage to Eleanor Donnelly (Jack's sister), thus making the Donnelly/McMullan family relationship a close one to this day. Marj and Jack continued their love affair by mail during the war years while Jack was serving in the North Atlantic on a corvette in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR). As a young adult Marj would often spend holidays at Clear Lake with her girlfriends. After she married Jack on January 31, 1948, the two spent many happy summers in their little cabin on 2nd Street in the Old Campground. In 1976 they moved to a large cottage at Wood's Creek on Lake Manitoba where the entire family and friends, including 8 grandchildren, spent 37 years sailing, canoeing, swimming, building forts in the woods, harvesting clay for crafts, and on occasion, ice skating and skiing. Marj would always have special treats for kids and grandkids alike to go along with the boisterous card games at the kitchen table (which she often won). The grandkids would also look forward to Thanksgiving orienteering treasure hunts in the woods and meadows, where compass reading was a necessity. Those struggling with a compass could "take 80 Grandma steps," which Marj would have paced out ahead of time. She also hid the Oreo cookies treasure en route. Marj enjoyed getting together with friends, neighbours and family all her life. She hosted many a coffee party, played weekly bridge games and belonged to a "Sewing Club" that started in 1944. She was active at Knox United Church where she taught Sunday School, Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) and volunteered for various groups. No one can remember Marj ever raising her voice. She took everything in stride and just did what needed to be done, taking one step at a time. She was so happy to be able to stay in her own home right up until the day she passed. She was the link to keep family members up to date on each other's lives. Our matriarch is now gone, but we will continue to keep family close and in each other's lives near and far. Her love for her family was strong. She had a gentle way of supporting, encouraging, guiding and loving as she raised her children. She was so loved that her children took her and Jack on many trips: to Costa Rica, France, England, Ireland and, as recently as last summer, to Calgary and Nelson B.C., to visit a granddaughter and a grandson. On a more local level, she looked forward to her Chris pushing her in her "spiffy blue" wheelchair on the walking paths all around Brandon. She was always at Jack's side, including at Donnelly Locksmith where she was the bookkeeper for many years. Her love and dedication to him shone through in her actions and gestures. They were often seen walking hand in hand in the neighbourhood, and cars would stop blocks away to let them cross busy streets safely. They adored and were devoted to each other. Marj did not miss a day visiting Jack while he was in hospital and at Hillcrest Care Home. Every day a wonderful family member or friend would drive her up to spend the afternoon with Jack where Marj would read to him, have quiet chats and they'd be seen touching forehead to forehead. Marj was predeceased by her parents Robert and Agnes; by her siblings Bob McMullan (Eleanor), Mildred Mitchell (Don), Glennie Trott (Don), Walter McMullan (Shirl), her son-in-law Bob Hamilton in 2012, and in 2019 her husband Jack. Those mourning this gentle, smart, sweet lady are her children Clark (Mary), Joy (Chuck), Patrick (Patti) and Chris (Danette); grandchildren Kelly, Kim, John, Tara, Blake, Joel, Gareth, Adam, Emma, Abbie, Avah, Hayden; 4 step grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn 12 nieces and nephews as well as many people whose lives she touched through church, community and friends of her children. She was one special lady. Her interment and a family celebration of life will take place in August. Donations in memory of Marj may be made to Teen Challenge or to Habitat for Humanity or, to quote a grandson:

"In lieu of flowers please
genuinely listen to those
you love, remember to take every day as it comes, and don't sweat the small stuff, just as this gem of a human always used to".

Publish Date: Jul 10, 2021

DONNELLY: It is with great sadness that the family of Marjorie Agnes Donnelly (nee McMullan) announce her very peaceful passing on Monday, June 28, 2021. At Marjie's request there will be a small family service later this summer to celebrate a life well lived. A full obituary to follow.
Publish Date: Jul 3, 2021

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 03, 2021, Jul 10, 2021