It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to the “Nucleus” of our Family. Marie passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 6, 2018, with family by her side at Carleton Lodge Ottawa, Ontario.
Beloved Mother of Karen (Peter MacKinnon) of Orleans, Ont., Mark (Wendy Clitheroe) of Morrisburg, Ont., Brenda (Howard Macumber) Nepean, Ont., and Bonnie (Doug Monteith) of Mallorytown, Ont. Grandmother to Kimberly, Sean, Micheal, James, Jennifer, Sarah, Ryan, Heather, Andrew and Matthew. She was also great-grandmother to fifteen. Born in Brockville, Ont. May 3, 1926 to the late James and Bessie Eligh, she was the elder sister to the late Donald Eligh (and his wife the late Edna Eligh) of Mallorytown. Schooled in Mallorytown, Marie then worked for the Sifton Family as a Governess and traveled with them to Winnipeg, Manitoba by train during the winters of WW 11.
After relocating to Morrisburg from Toronto during the St. Lawrence Seaway Project in the late 1950’s Marie busied herself setting up house. A year later, she began work as an interpreter with the newly opened Upper Canada Village, an association that would weave in and out of her working career and involve the next two generations of her family. The following year, Marie would become the Office Manager of family owned MacDonald Fuels a job she excelled at into the mid 1970’s.
In 1975, Marie returned to Upper Canada Village where she “honed” many new skills such as the carding and dying of wool, spinning, weaving and quilting. Perhaps she was best known for her culinary skills over an open fire and reflector oven. She was renown for her pies, upside down cakes, rolls and cinnamon buns (a check of her cloth purse or period costume pockets would reveal her secret stash of yeast that she brought from home.) She often bartered her baked goods for fresh curd and garden vegetables.
In the fall of 1990 Marie retired and enjoyed time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She imparted her many skills to all members of the family particularly her love of baking and gardening. She enjoyed several bus tours as well. To her, they were a great learning experience and she shared all with family upon return home.
During her time in Morrisburg, Marie was a member of the Order of The Eastern Star, a member of the Morrisburg Legion for 45 years and worshiped at the Knox Presbyterian Church. She was an avid curler and belonged to the Morrisburg Curling Club. Her real passion however was golf and she was a member at The Morrisburg Golf Club.
In later years, she purchased a golf cart and played the game well into her 70’s.
As per Marie’s wishes, there will be no visitation.
Cremation has taken place and a private internment will be held at Oakland Cemetery, Brockville, Ont. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville, Ont. Donations to Carleton Lodge, in Marie’s memory may be made at the funeral home. We are very thankful for their wonderful care.