Obituary of Marjorie Louise Larsen

LARSEN, Marjorie Louise (Clarke), of Saint John N.B. passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital, March 7, 2010, following a brief illness, and surrounded by her family. Born in Upper Kennetcook, Hants County, Nova Scotia on January 28, 1920, she was a daughter of the late Glynn and Gladys (Hennigar) Clarke. Her early education was in upper Kennetcook and at Windsor Academy from where she was chosen to attend the Coronation of King George VI in London, England in 1937. “Clarkie” graduated as a Registered Nurse from Saint John General Hospital in 1942 and earned a post-graduate course in operating room technique from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal in 1943. She practiced her profession as an operating room nurse and E.E.N.T. nurse until starting her family, and returned to nursing from 1968 until 1984 after raising her family. In 1948, she married the late Kenneth Hans Larsen, who predeceased her in 1991. In the years since the death of her husband she continued to be a devoted mother and grandmother, community volunteer and avid golfer, curler, and bridge player. She also traveled extensively, visiting every continent with the exception of Asia. (Even to Antarctica!). Up until her death, she was an active member of the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, where she served as Warden, on Vestry, Altar Guild, and Choir. She had a long history of involvement in the ACW, both locally and at the Deanery and Diocesan level. For many years she served as a Pastoral Care visitor for her church. She has been a Hospice Patient Visitor and a member of the Board of Hospice Saint John, Inc. She received the Heart of Hospice Award in 2003, and is a past recipient of the Mayor’s Medal for Volunteer of the Year. She served as Ladies Past President of both the Westfield and Riverside Golf and Country Clubs. She is survived by three children, Ann (Brian Robertson), Rothesay; Edward (Ted), Halifax; and Jane (Bart MacDonald), Quispamsis; grand-daughter, Jennifer MacDonald, Rothesay, grandsons, Adam and Mark Larsen, Halifax; granddaughter, Brittany Larsen, Halifax; and great-grandchildren Serenity and Wesley Coston, Rothesay, also servived by her sisters Myrna Slater and Elsie Clarke both of Halifax. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by a sister, Audrey Murdock, brother, Doug Clarke, and daughter-in-law, Maureen Sullivan (Larsen). Visitation 2:00 p.m. – 4:00p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 10, at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m.,Thursday, March 11, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 668 Manawagonish Road, Rev. Chris McMullen officiating. Interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery at a later date. Marjorie’s family extends heartfelt thanks to Drs. Sheehan, Rhynard and the 6th floor staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital for their exceptional care and devotion to Marjorie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Saint John Inc., the Church of the Good Shepherd, the Canadian Cancer Society, or charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.brenansfh.com.