Marjorie Reid

REID, Rev. Marjorie Arlene

Passed, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, at University Hospital, London on Sunday, October 15th, 2023 at the age of 84. Beloved mother of Graham and his wife Nancy, Brian and his wife Stephanie, Barbara and her husband Jamie, and Bonnie. Cherished grandmother of Esther, Kathleen, Lauren, Jack, Savannah, Maiya, and Noah.  Dear sister of Muriel. Marjorie is survived by Robert Reid, who cherished his marriage with Marjorie for 63 years. She will be lovingly remembered many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Marjorie was a Christian. She served within the Anglican Church throughout her life. She met her husband at St. George’s Anglican Church in St. Catharines Ontario. She and Robert served as missionaries with the Anglican Church of Canada in Zululand, South Africa in the mid 1960s. She was an active member of congregations in Fort Erie and St. Catharines. Starting in the 1970’s, she was in the choir, served on the altar guild, and was on the Deacon’s board at New St. Paul’s/Epiphany Church, Woodstock. Beginning at age 60, she first completed a lay certificate in Theology at Huron University College, followed by a Masters of Theology (2007) and a Masters of Divinity (2011). She was ordained in May 2008 and was a Deacon at St. Alban the Martyr, London; consistent with her passion, she had special responsibilities for outreach.

Marjorie was a teacher. Following teachers’ college, she taught in inner-city schools in Toronto in the early 1960s. Most of her teaching focused on young children and the vulnerable. She taught children with developmental and/or physical disabilities in St. Catharines and Woodstock. She taught at the Oxford County Day Nursey in Woodstock and was the parent program coordinator in Woodstock and Tillsonburg for many years. In that role, Marjorie developed and delivered a parenting program for mothers of young children, many of whom had extreme behavioural problems and were in families suffering from poverty and other hardships.

Marjorie served. She was on the board of the Woodstock Gymnastics Club in the 1980s and part of the Oxford Children’s Service Planning Committee in the 1990s. In the 90s she was also one of the original board members responsible for the development of Oxford Community Complex in Woodstock.

Marjorie cared. Cards and gifts were always received on birthdays and holidays. Letters and phone calls marked other special events and milestones. Her love for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their families, relatives and adopted family was palpable. Her home was always open, to whomever needed or wanted to visit or stay, whether it was for a meal, a month, or longer.

Marjorie is at peace. We know that as a follower of Jesus Christ, Marjorie is free from the pain, suffering and sorrows of this world. Welcomed into the arms of her Saviour with the words – well done, good and faithful servant.

Cremation has taken place. A service celebrating her life will be held at The Church of St. Jude, 1537 Adelaide Street North, London, on Saturday Nov 18 at 11 AM. The service will be livestreamed and recorded; please contact the Church of St. Jude for details (519-660-6198).

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Marjorie are encouraged to consider a donation to The Anglican Church of Canada, The Heart & Stroke Foundation, or Children’s Aid Society of Oxford County. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex Inc., 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com/Marjorie-Reid/