Obituary of Marjorie Charlotte OLLERENSHAW

January 26, 1921 – January 24, 2012 Marjorie Charlotte Ollerenshaw, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 just two days prior to her 91 birthday. Marjorie will be deeply missed by her daughter June (Claude), her son Robert and her grandchildren Brittany, Justin and Caleb. Sadly she was predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years Fred Ollerenshaw; her parents, Grace and Norval Sinton of Airdrie; her sister, Virginia (Edgeron) Davies and brother Don (Pauline) Sinton. Marjorie and her siblings Virginia and Donald were raised on the family farm near Airdrie, AB where her father Norval Sinton had acquired a ¼ section of land in 1919 through the Soldier’s Settlement Board after the First World War. The three young children attended the Goldenrod School that was located 1.5 miles south of the farmstead and consisted of Grades 1 to 9. Marjorie continued her education by pursuing her Grade 10-12 courses at Central High School in Calgary in order to complete her senior matriculation. Marjorie had always wanted to become a nurse and enrolled into the nursing program at the Calgary General Hospital following her high school graduation. She graduated with honors and was awarded the gold medal for “highest general proficiency in nursing”. Marjorie began her career as a surgical nurse in the Operating Rooms at the Calgary General. She decided to continue her post-graduate training at the Colonial Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Here she worked on innovative surgical procedures with physicians from the world-renowned Mayo Clinic for a period of 18 months. She gained much excellent experience in Rochester and then returned to the position of Head Supervisor of the Operating Rooms at the Calgary General Hospital for a period of ten years. Marjorie Sinton and her future husband Fred Ollerenshaw originally met each other at the Full Gospel Church on 14th Avenue S.W. in Calgary. She was most impressed by his variety of interests ranging from farming and ranching, singing Barbershop, playing the trumpet, riding motorcycles to flying recreational aircraft. They dated for approximately one year and were married at the Full Gospel Church on 10 April 1951. After a brief honeymoon to Red Deer and Edmonton, they settled into a small three room house located on Section 24 which Fred purchased just a few miles S.E. of Section 33 where he was raised. Marjorie loved creating vegetable and colorful flower gardens in the yard where she spent many an afternoon admiring her handiwork from the small covered porch at the rear of the house. The creation of her working garden now became her focus while transitioning from a career in nursing to that of being a mother and wife. Both her children, June and Robert were raised on this homestead and grew up surrounded by the love and continuing support of their parents. In 1958 Fred purchased the adjacent Section 23 lands that are now home to the Ollerenshaw Ranch. Marjorie and Fred worked tirelessly as they built up his farming and ranching operations by acquiring more additional farmland nearby and increasing his cattle herd. In 1973, Marjorie and Fred moved their family to Calgary. Marjorie became involved with many associations during her lifetime including the General Hospital Nurses Alumni, Rangeview Ladies Club, Calgary Opera Guild, Women’s Ministries and Christian Women’s Club. The church was an important part throughout her life and she has lived her years in honour and service of her God. The pursuit of education was a passion for Marjorie by encouraging young people to become well educated and productive in their lives. She also loved to entertain and would host untold bridal and baby showers for her many friends throughout her life. She wished for every young woman that she knew to be honored and celebrated at these important junctures in their lives. Throughout her life, she had taught that wisdom is the proper use of knowledge and to make decisions that are guided with wisdom and tempered with patience. She has contributed so very much to her husband, children, grandchildren and the many friendships she nurtured throughout her life. She had a wonderful sense of decency, integrity, compassion and loyalty as well as a strong commitment to family, friends and community. Marjorie and her family would like to acknowledge the numerous devoted friends who have stood by and supported her as her health declined during the past few years. The family is also profoundly grateful to Marjorie’s primary caregiver, Chantel Howard who devoted her love and attention to her during the past eight years. We also wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the caregivers who provided care and support while Marjorie resided at her home on weekends including Kim and Sarah Wright, Vicki Davis, Grace Isidoro, Rose Bantog, Marilyn Van Sertima, Emily Fernandez and Calixta Pituc. The family also wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the medical and nursing staff at the Beverly Centre and the Rockyview Hospital. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on Thursday, February 2, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial Services will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church (1009 – 15th Avenue S.W.) on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Kenneth Bombay of Brantford, ON officiating. Graveside Service to follow on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens at noon. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, tributes in Marjorie’s memory may be made directly to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 2323 – 32 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB. T2E 6Z3. In living memory of Marjorie Ollerenshaw, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200