Marjorie V. (Marge) Barr
January 7 1932 - January 3 2008.
With great sadness we announce that our mother and friend Marge passed away suddenly at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria BC. Born in Winnipeg MB in 1932, Marge would have been 76 on Jan.7 2008.
Marge's ability to get along with anyone had Mom well-liked across Canada. For the past several years while living in Campbell River BC, Marge stayed very busy with numerous agencies, working as a volunteer. She freely gave her time to such groups as the Pier Street Farmer's Market and Tidemark Theatre, the Arts Council, Shoreline Arts and Canadian Cancer Society, to name just a few. In fact, on July 1 2007 she was presented with an award from the City of Campbell River for her contributions. One of her last creative projects was narrating a video called 'Love You Forever'. This DVD was created to help raise money for the Campbell River Hospice Society.
Marge will be remembered by many as a large part of the community backbone of Minaki ON. As the Post Mistress, her office was a hub of local activity and information. Prior to the post office, Marge was the telephone operator in Minaki, linking callers up via a then state-of-the-art telephone board, much like the console made famous by Lily Tomlin on Laugh In. You could always count on Marge to fill in last minute on a curling team if she wasn't already busy skipping one herself. If she wasn't directing the kids' Christmas concert, then she was probably acting as a judge at the Men's Bake-off and Sale, donating huge pans of home-cooked food to the latest community event, or ice fishing during the Winter Carnival.
But most of all, Marge will be remembered as a Mom who had to raise four kids on her own, as a widow, and for showing great strength, determination and pride no matter what was happening. She had a big laugh, a quick wit, and an instant smile. Mom will be remembered for instilling a great sense of adventure and independence in each of us, and always with an open mind.
Predeceased by her husband Cliff in 1964, Marge is survived by her friend and partner of 22 years, Al Nurmi, her four children; Clancy (a.k.a. Pete), Paddy, Shan and Clark as well as four grand children.
A memorial tea service will be held at the Seth Norton lounge, 931 -14th Ave, Campbell River on Sunday January 13, 2008 at 2:00pm. Telephone 250-287-7744.
A second gathering of community friends to celebrate Marge’s life through shared anecdotes and live music will take place at the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River on Thursday January 17 at 7:00pm.
A private memorial will also take place in Minaki ON this summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made towards the 'Love You Forever' fundraiser.
Contact info: Campbell River Hospice Society
104-301 Dogwood Street, Campbell River, BC V9W 2Y1 Telephone 250-286-1121
And be sure to mention you were a friend of Marge's. She'd like that.