MARJORIE-NAN MACLEAN SMITH, dearly loved wife of David Smith passed away on June 30, 2018. She is survived by her husband of 64 years and her children Jody (Janell), Lanny (Cindy), Lori (Clyde), Gillan (Mary), Monte (Tanya), Marji (Harry), Beth (Michael), and Marshall. She also was blessed to love and be loved by 37 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren that she referred to as her “baby grands”.
Mom was born in Edmonton, Alberta on February 26, 1927, the second daughter of loving and kind parents, Gillan Christie MacLean and Marjorie Evelyn Burgess. (Her older sister, Margaret Isobel, known to mom as Marnie, was born 7 years earlier in 1920) She always considered Edmonton to be home even when she lived in Coutts, Alberta for three months and Calgary for 57 years. She made a house a home wherever she was but Edmonton always had her heart. It was there that she was raised and met her husband, David, who she married on December 23, 1953. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple. After adding five children to their union, work opportunities took them to Coutts, Alberta for training and then to Calgary for work. Three more children were born in Calgary.
Prior to her marriage she had worked at various jobs and even had her own trucking company, but when she married she dedicated her time and energy to her husband and children and worked hard to make our house a home. She emulated many of the mothering traits that she had learned from her mom and this gentle goodness has blessed us all.
She did not enjoy formal schooling but always loved learning. Her study of the scriptures, nutrition, gospel topics, mental health, and many other subjects have led her to knowledge that has improved her life and the lives of many others who were smart enough to listen to her. Her large collection of books was impressive, what was more impressive, she had actually read all of them. You can tell by the colorful underlining that is characteristic of her method of learning and marking what stood out to her.
Mom had been blessed with the gift and enjoyment of literary expression. She used this talent in writing notes of gratitude and caring to numerous friends, family and strangers as well as over 500 poems and many short stories. One of her greatest accomplishments in this area was achieved at the age of 89 with her first published novel, A Mythical Story of Scotland.
Along with her efforts to reach out to others and let them know of her awareness and love for them she began making small pillows to accompany her notes. She was not content to just say nice things but felt the need to act on her feelings of compassion. She has always championed the underdog and has a tender heart for those in need.
Her upbringing included a strong sense of heritage and family, which she has passed on to her descendants. One particular pleasure was Mount Burgess, located in Yoho National Park and depicted along with Emerald Lake on the back of the 1954 Canadian ten dollar bill. Mount Burgess was named for mom’s grandfather, Alexander MacKinnon Burgess, who was a former Deputy Minister of the Interior. She loved to visit “our mountain”. Her Scottish roots run deep and pride in family has always been a righteous pride and in no way would demean another person’s heritage. She never told an ethnic joke and would not tolerate one to be told in her hearing. Mom has a keen sense of humor that has always been appropriate and taught us that it was never right to get a laugh at someone else’s expense.
Mom was blessed to have a mom who had a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and helped her to gain a testimony of her own which led her to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of which she has been a faithful, contributing member since September 26, 1953. She served in many callings but most especially loved the opportunity to teach the Relief Society sisters for over 40 years. Her testimony and faith in the Savior have blessed her to overcome many mental health and physical trials in her life and continue on faithful, enduring to the end.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Crescent Road Chapel,
202 Crescent Road N.W. Calgary, AB on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be sent by CLICKING HERE.
Mom was born in Edmonton, Alberta on February 26, 1927, the second daughter of loving and kind parents, Gillan Christie MacLean and Marjorie Evelyn Burgess. (Her older sister, Margaret Isobel, known to mom as Marnie, was born 7 years earlier in 1920) She always considered Edmonton to be home even when she lived in Coutts, Alberta for three months and Calgary for 57 years. She made a house a home wherever she was but Edmonton always had her heart. It was there that she was raised and met her husband, David, who she married on December 23, 1953. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple. After adding five children to their union, work opportunities took them to Coutts, Alberta for training and then to Calgary for work. Three more children were born in Calgary.
Prior to her marriage she had worked at various jobs and even had her own trucking company, but when she married she dedicated her time and energy to her husband and children and worked hard to make our house a home. She emulated many of the mothering traits that she had learned from her mom and this gentle goodness has blessed us all.
She did not enjoy formal schooling but always loved learning. Her study of the scriptures, nutrition, gospel topics, mental health, and many other subjects have led her to knowledge that has improved her life and the lives of many others who were smart enough to listen to her. Her large collection of books was impressive, what was more impressive, she had actually read all of them. You can tell by the colorful underlining that is characteristic of her method of learning and marking what stood out to her.
Mom had been blessed with the gift and enjoyment of literary expression. She used this talent in writing notes of gratitude and caring to numerous friends, family and strangers as well as over 500 poems and many short stories. One of her greatest accomplishments in this area was achieved at the age of 89 with her first published novel, A Mythical Story of Scotland.
Along with her efforts to reach out to others and let them know of her awareness and love for them she began making small pillows to accompany her notes. She was not content to just say nice things but felt the need to act on her feelings of compassion. She has always championed the underdog and has a tender heart for those in need.
Her upbringing included a strong sense of heritage and family, which she has passed on to her descendants. One particular pleasure was Mount Burgess, located in Yoho National Park and depicted along with Emerald Lake on the back of the 1954 Canadian ten dollar bill. Mount Burgess was named for mom’s grandfather, Alexander MacKinnon Burgess, who was a former Deputy Minister of the Interior. She loved to visit “our mountain”. Her Scottish roots run deep and pride in family has always been a righteous pride and in no way would demean another person’s heritage. She never told an ethnic joke and would not tolerate one to be told in her hearing. Mom has a keen sense of humor that has always been appropriate and taught us that it was never right to get a laugh at someone else’s expense.
Mom was blessed to have a mom who had a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and helped her to gain a testimony of her own which led her to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of which she has been a faithful, contributing member since September 26, 1953. She served in many callings but most especially loved the opportunity to teach the Relief Society sisters for over 40 years. Her testimony and faith in the Savior have blessed her to overcome many mental health and physical trials in her life and continue on faithful, enduring to the end.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Crescent Road Chapel,
202 Crescent Road N.W. Calgary, AB on Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be sent by CLICKING HERE.