Obituary of Marge Dianna Gail VanderRoest

October 19, 1944 – Prince Rupert, British Columbia

July 8, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

With broken hearts, we share the passing of our Grapie, Marge VanderRoest, at the age of 79 years on Monday, July 8, 2024, peacefully in her sleep, as she would have wanted.

Marge was born to Paul and Margaret Dempsey in Prince Rupert, BC. Life’s adventures took Marge from Saskatchewan, to Sudbury, ON, where she welcomed her firstborn, back to Saskatchewan where she joyously brought her second-born into the world, and finally to Calgary, AB, where she settled, created a life, and solidified her roots.

Grapie became the name her family and friends all came to know, and she loved so very much to introduce herself as that. This name came to be when her first great-grandson was learning to talk and would call her Grape Grandma; we shortened it to Grapie, and she loved it instantly.

Her favourite hobbies consisted of “collecting wool” to create knitted wonders, learning how to quilt, and then putting those skills to work and quilting beautiful memories for her great-grandchildren, as well as her weekly coffee “dates” with her dear friends at the local McDonald's. In the last few years, her love for jigsaw puzzles grew and you would always find a puzzle on the go and an ever-growing collection of ones waiting to be completed. Her greatest passion though, was taking part in the lives of her great-grandchildren, from freezing cold football games to cheering at hockey and ball games, painting rocks to finding pretty trinkets, and most importantly, making memories to last.

She had many careers throughout her life, from a professional meat cutter to one of her proudest moments of when she completed her courses and became a Personal Care Aide in 1997. Her gentle hand and caring ways helped her create lasting bonds with many of her patients and their families; she truly loved those years. But the job that meant the most to Grapie and brought her the most fulfillment was that of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She became a devoted Christian in her later years, enjoying the time with her church and the beautiful friends that she met there.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard. Nor have entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Grapie will lovingly live on with her daughter Wendy McKechnie-Martens (Calgary, AB), her son Murray McKechnie (Black Creek, BC), granddaughter Miranda (Brian) LaRoque (Calgary, AB), grandson Darcy (Leeanne) Martens (Standard, AB), great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Donovan, Karson, Blayze, Jazmyne, Phoenyx, Caragyn, and Ryver; her sister Pauline Jorgensen (Fruitvale, BC), as well as many nieces and nephews, dear friends, and her sweet furbaby Krikit.

A Celebration of Grapie’s Beautiful Life will be scheduled for a later date, for all to gather and share their precious memories.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Marge’s family here.

In living memory of Marge VanderRoest, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Heritage, 1708 – 16th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 0L7, Telephone: 403-299-0100.