Obituary of Marjorie Mary McCARTHY-CAIRNS

September 28, 1922 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
May 31, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Marjorie Mary McCarthy-Cairns, beloved wife of the late Bruce Cairns, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, May 31, 2021 at the age of 98 years.

Born in Winnipeg, MB, music to Marjorie was a lifelong love affair, studying piano, voice, and pipe organ. While working and Hudson’s Bay House in Winnipeg, she met and married Edward McCarthy, an Agriculture graduate. Through him she learned to love and respect the land. 

In Calgary, Marjorie was a founding member of the Festival Chorus which has celebrated its sixtieth anniversary. With the formation of a new Anglican parish near her home, she became organist and choir director of Holy Cross Anglican Church (formerly St. Cyprian’s) for thirteen years. She accepted a position at the University of Calgary as a music librarian in the Department of Music, a position she held and dearly loved for twenty-five years. 

Because of her devotion to young people involved in the study of music, she volunteered for many years as an Adjudicator’s assistant for the Performing Arts Festival providing a scholarship for the Operetta class. Being an opera lover, she was active as a secretary on the executive board for the formation of the Southern Alberta Opera Association in 1972, and was a member of the Calgary Opera Chorus for twenty-five years. She also sang with Debut Opera and the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus. 

Following the death of her husband, she volunteered at the Kerby Seniors Centre as a pianist, and served on committees. She met Bruce Cairns wile hosting a Panama Canal Cruise for Kerby Globetrotters. With a mutual love of travel, they married in July 2000, travelling to all parts of the world before Bruce’s passing in 2015. 

Watching her beloved grandchildren grow and mature was one of the joys in Marjorie’s life. 

Marjorie served as Board Member and pianist at the monthly Women’s Club luncheons. She also played at Agape Hospice, providing musical memories for residents. Singing with Westside Seniors Group gave her great enjoyment. 

Marjorie was generous with her musical talents, blessed with a phenomenal ear and the ability to play anything once heard. We’ll miss her generosity of spirit and outgoing personality.

Marjorie will be lovingly remembered by daughter Brenda McCarthy, cherished grandchildren of whom she felt so blessed, Katelyn, Sean, Carmello (Brittney), Lucia, Natalie, Emily, Joshua, Andrea; extended family, Denyse (Dale), Joanne (Warren), David (Carmen), Caroline (Olindo), Mark; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.  

A Private Funeral Service will be held on, Friday, June 11, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to join Mrs. McCarthy-Cairns’ service streamed live on the day of the service at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6qS3yqFBeRtz2JS3A8rlA . Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Marjorie’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Performing Arts Festival https://www.cpafestival.ca/support-us. 

In living memory of Marjorie McCarthy-Cairns, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Marjorie's memorial card can be viewed by clicking this link