Marjorie Gilbert

Marjorie Estelle Gilbert

March 18, 1929 a�" September 29, 2012

May the Music Play On

The Portage and MacGregor region has lost an enduring and faithful member of its rich music culture with the peaceful passing of Marjorie Estelle Gilbert on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at the Lions Prairie Manor. She was surrounded by her loving family who will miss her tremendously.

Marj was born to Bill and Annie Telford on March 18, 1929 in Gladstone, Manitoba. The third of four children, she was raised and educated in the Orangeville and MacGregor districts and, while working at the Bank of Montreal, met and married returning Air Force veteran Harvey Gilbert with whom she shared 50 years of marriage. They established a successful farming operation in Katrime, raised four children and made many friendships that lasted a lifetime. Upon leaving Katrime, Marj made the transition from life on the farm to a career in ladies fashion in Portage, where once again, many lifelong friendships were formed. Marj loved to host gatherings, whether planned or impromptu. Her homes in Katrime, Portage and their week-end retreat at Sportsman's Park in Clear Lake, were always filled with friends and family enjoying great food, music and laughter.

Marj's greatest passion was her amazing gift of music, which she generously shared with this community for over 70 years. Whether playing for concerts, dances, fashion shows, sporting events, weddings, family parties, recitals or afternoons at the Manor, her vast inventory of music a�" in any key a�" added joy to all of our lives. She was also an avid lover of sport, spending countless hours at sporting venues, curling with her friends in Katrime, watching her family figure skate, play hockey, baseball, football, ringette a�" you name it. She volunteered whenever there was a need and kept a schedule that would exhaust others.

The legacy of her music will live on in her children Daryl (Bonnie) of Calgary, Brent (Debbie) of Winnipeg, Brian (Susan) of Portage and Sandra (J.R.) of Calgary; her grandchildren Regan (Michael), Brett, Chase; Kate (Cory), Meaghan (Marc), Rachel (Andrew); Sydney, Davis, Alex; and great grandchild Vincent. She shared a special bond with her friend and sister Vivian, who has been by her musical side from their days in the Telford family band; her Aunt Marjorie, cousin Sally and nieces Pam and Cindy. She is survived by her sister-in-laws Florence and Lillian, many nieces, nephews, cousins and many of those lifelong friends that will remember her fondly. She was predeceased by her husband Harvey; parents Bill and Annie; step-dad Gordon; brother Boyd (Cassie); brother Tom (Audrey) and brother-in-laws Pete, Russell and Harold.

Marj spent the last three years in the care of the amazing and loving staff at the Lions Prairie Manor, where she was not only a resident, but also a fixture at the piano, continuing to share her music as long as she could. She was their Marjie a�" it was a good fit.

There will be a celebration for Marjorie at Trinity United Church on Friday, October 5, 2012 at 2:00pm with a reception following in the lower auditorium. A family graveside service will be held earlier at the Beaver Creek Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so desire, donations can be made in Marjorie's memory to the Lions Prairie Manor Foundation Inc., 24 a�" 9th Street SE, Portage la Prairie, R1N 3V4.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com