Celebration of Life
Obituary of Marjorie Eileen Ward
Ward: Marjorie Eileen Ward (nee Smith)
It is with overwhelming sadness we announce the passing of Marjorie Eileen Ward (nee Smith), of Long Reach, NB. Mom passed away peacefully at Bobby’s Hospice on Monday, March 21st, 2022. Born in Saint John, October 13, 1943 she was the daughter of the late Nellie and James Smith
Left to grieve is her daughter, Dawn-Marie Topolinsky (Cliff) , Wickham, Granddaughter and love of her life, Evynn Maria Topolinsky (Kyle Joncas) of Halifax, NS, partner of 28 years Paul Johnston of Long Reach, NB, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, mom was predeceased by my father Donnie Ward, along with her sister Joan Cooke, brother and sister-in-law Melvin & Shirley Smith, half brother Burt Gordon, and her dearest best friend Marilyn Eldridge.
Mom held many jobs in her lifetime. The greatest and most successful was that of being my mother. She never missed a game or event in my life and excelled as the best Nana ever. She loved to watch her granddaughter grow into the beautiful person she is today and was so proud of her bright future as she finishes her masters in OT. When she became ill, Mom kept saying “just get me to October” so she could attend Evynn’s graduation from Dalhousie University. She adored Cliff to a fault and he her. He would say “how many men can truly say they love and like their mother-in-law?” He could do no wrong in her eyes and she knew that he would take good care of her daughter and granddaughter. She was a generous caring woman, quick to help anyone. Many a student came fundraising to her door for various reasons and she never refused them, she would give the last dollar out of her wallet. Mom was always excited in December for the ice to come in as she loved to watch children skate on her lake and as years went by, those ‘children’ brought their children to skate. She married my father Donnie in 1965 and I’m not sure how she hung in there as long as she did until he passed away in 1989. I mean that lovingly as those that knew him he was a bit foolish from bringing home stray animals and letting them in the house (horse, ducks, geese, a wounded crow, poodle from the bootlegger). And let’s not forget the winter he thought he would fix his motorcycle- in the living room. Oh, here’s a better one, let’s bring home all the molds that the Bricklins shipped in and build his own (never did) but in the meantime they can hang around the yard for a year or 5. My mother was a Saint! My father passed away on her birthday and she would always comment “of all the stupid gifts he gave me… I think he did this on purpose.” She had the greatest sense of humour. She also said when he passed “I’m glad he had his ‘stuff’ it made him happy.” Always thinking of others.
In 1993 Paul came into mom’s life and they had a great ‘2nd life’ together. Traveling all over, cruise in Alaska and their favourite trip was 3 weeks in Newfoundland. He will miss her dearly. She had a large circle of friends (Doreen and Nancy and their girls’ trips to the Hoot Owl) and often said she didn’t know what she would have done after dad passed if she didn’t live on the Kingston Peninsula. There is such a strong sense of community and helping each other. I would be remiss if I failed to mention she was also predeceased by Michael Aday - aka Meat Loaf! She was quite upset with him that he wasn’t vaccinated and died from COVID. For those that knew mom, she loved ‘The Meat’.
I love her fiercely and will ache daily over the loss of this beautiful human being that I am so proud to call my mother, Evynn’s grandmother, and Cliff’s mother-in-law. I would need to take out a full-page ad, and I might yet, to share with you how wonderful this woman was.
Our family would like to acknowledge the tremendous help and support that we received from Extramural Sussex, especially Patricia and Virginia. Bobby’s Hospice and the Saint John Regional Hospital, from whom mom received exceptional care as well. Thank you to dear friends Nancy and Terry Fullerton for all of your support. Thank you to our large circle of family and friends and all of your kind words, calls, messages and emails from afar during this difficult time.
As we wrap our heads around this terrible loss to our family, we will hold a Celebration of Life (and it will be a celebration) at the Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home (849-2119), 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis, on Saturday, May 28th, 2022, at 1pm, so we can take the time to give mom the proper send-off she deserves. “Heaven Can Wait,” (I would have booked Meat Loaf if he hadn’t of passed - get the vaccine). A Reception will follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 62. For those unable to attend Marjorie's service, the service will be livestreamed. The link to the livestream can be found on Marjorie's obituary at www.kennebecasisfh.com
Memorial Donations made to a few organizations that mom supported would be greatly appreciated; the Kingston Food and Clothing Bank, Romero House, or Bobby’s Hospice.
