MARJORIE FLORENCE MELLOR
January 1, 1921 - June 19, 2011 i
It is with great sadness that we announce, Marjorie (Marge) Florence Mellor, a well known resident of Salmon Arm, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 19, 2011 in Vernon, BC at the age of 90 years.
Marge was born to parents Daisy and George Wheatcroft in Wayne, Alberta on January 1, 1921 – a New Years baby! She is the eldest of 12 children.
The growing up years during the depression were difficult and although Marge excelled in mathematics, English and music, she left school early to help her family with her siblings and to work. She was a phenomenal knitter, knitting baby outfits, sweaters, vests and Cowichan sweaters. She also enjoyed sewing and was quite the seamstress, developing her skills early in life when she would sew for her younger siblings, even making some of the clothing from cotton flour sacks!
In her 20s, Marge worked as a waitress at the Colman hotel in Alberta and it was there where she met her Husband James (Jim) Mellor, a Fernie boy. Marge and Jim married in Colman in 1942 and had a wonderful life, living first in Prince Rupert where Jim was stationed during the war. Work took the Mellor family to live in Salmon Arm in 1964. In 1971, Marge and Jim purchased Colliers Super Value Ltd., later renamed Mellor’s, which was located on Hudson Street. In 1976, they established Mellor’s Country General Store on Highway 97B. Marge loved to work both at the checkouts, where she was with the public, and in the office. Tragically, Jim was killed in a car accident in 1983. Marge continued to run the store on her own for a further five years and because the store was located 10 kilometres away from their home, she had to learn to drive at 62. When she gave up her license at 86 years old, she was still a relatively “new driver”!
Marge enjoyed the Salmon Arm Dance Club, playing golf, traveling, playing cards, working on puzzles, watching sports on TV – especially hockey, where she always cheered on the Canucks! Her passion was singing and playing her harmonica. She was known for her “Kitchen Band” where she played the harmonica along with the washboard, spoons and pots and pans. She was a hit at any party.
Marge loved Salmon Arm and was involved with the Seniors 109 choir, the Churches of Salmon Arm Thrift Store, the Lions Club and St. John’s Anglican Church. Her faith guided and supported her throughout her life and her church family was very important to her.
In retirement, Marge loved to travel. She went on a Caribbean cruise, traveled to England to visit relatives, to Hawaii several times and to many countries in Europe.
Marge was always an extremely social person. As children, her daughters used to cringe when she met people in town because they knew it would be many, many minutes before they would carry on with their shopping. Going to the post office was the worst because that was where she would visit the most!
Marge was always so positive and full of energy. Above all, she loved her family and always wanted to be with them, never too busy to offer her guidance and support. She enjoyed spending time with her 13 grandchildren – playing hopscotch, skip rope and cards, doing puzzles, colouring, singing nursery rhymes and playing her harmonica for them. Many of her grandchildren, while attending elementary school, were proud to take grandma and her harmonica to their class “show and tell”. She also enjoyed spending time with her daughter Donna and family at their cabin on Shuswap Lake, going on camping trips with her daughter Shannon and family and holidaying with her son Allan and his wife Ina, which included numerous casino stops along the way.
Marge is lovingly remembered by her son Allan (Ina) Mellor of Cranbrook, BC; daughters Donna (Steve) Husband of Vernon, BC and Shannon (Brian) Fraser of Calgary, Alberta; sisters Hilda Davies of Edmonton, Alberta, Hazel (Bob) Barker of Vernon, BC, Ruth Openshaw of Victoria, BC and Shirley Craig of Calgary, Alberta; and 13 grandchildren (Charlene, Kenneth, Shanna, Matthew, Keeli, Stephi, Tori, Devyn, Aaron, Jeffrey, Devon, Jordan and Landon) and 3 great-grandchildren (Claire, Madeline and Eleanore).
Marge is predeceased by her loving husband Jim; her parents Daisy and George Wheatcroft; her brothers Gordon Wheatcroft and Roy Wheatcroft; and her sister Ethel Nelson, and great-grandson Chase.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 2:00 pm at St. John’s Anglican Church, located at170 Shuswap St SE in Salmon Arm, BC.
Marge’s family and the community have lost a true friend and supporter.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing, may contribute to the BC Children’s Hospital at 938 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 or http://www.bcchf.ca/main/?donateNow.
Email condolences can be sent through Marge’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Service, Salmon Arm, BC.