Marjorie Elizabeth was born Friday, November 10, 1933, likely at home, in Greenock Township and was the youngest child of Scott Robert (1886 – 1965) and Pearl Elizabeth (Dunlop) (1893 – 1981) Webb. She was sister to Hazel E. (1915 – 1975), Willard L. (1918 – 1981), Norval (1922 – 2004), John “Jack” David (1926 – 2016) and Phyllis (1932 – 2009).
When Pearl and Scott were married it was the 19th of January 1915 and the nuptials took place in the village of Paisley. Scott was 29 years of age; a Presbyterian and Pearl was 21 and an Anglican (Church of England). Pearl had been born in Detroit, Michigan and was listed as Canadian as was Scott who was born in Bruce County. They resided on the 16th of Greenock Township where there are Webbs living to this day! The Webbs began arriving in the Glamis area in 1860. There is a lovely picture of Pearl at a 1928 gathering of the WMS ladies.
Marjorie and her siblings attended the Bradley School located right next door to the Webb farm. Marj went onto high school in Paisley. Having dated in school, Marj married William Lawrence Campbell of R.R.#3 Paisley at the end of grade twelve, April 7, 1951. Their witnesses were Verna and Andrew Cormack. Together they raised five children; Sharon (1951), Carol (1953), Bob (1954), Rick (1957 – 2005) and Lynne (1962).
“Garnie” or “Little Garnie” as he was known was the son of Garnet Edward (1897 – 1998) and Oral Henrietta (Gowanlock) (1906 – 1989) who they themselves were married March 15, 1928. Garnet Edward underwent his medical exam in Harriston October 20, 1917 and was attested April 25, 1918 at 1st Depot Battalion W.O.R. in London Ontario. His WWI regimental number was 3133239. This family root may have played a role in Marjorie’s own “career” in the Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary.
For the first ten years of their married life, Marj and Garnie rented, lived and farmed at R.R.#3 Paisley. During this time Garnie also worked for Tom King Construction and drove truck for Andrew Cormack. In 1961 the family moved into Paisley, 6 Murdock Street, where they lived until just this past summer. Starting in 1962 Marj worked outside the home at Bruce Municipal telephone as a telephone operator.
Both Garnie and Marj were stoic and internalized their grief when son Rick sadly died of cancer at the tender age of forty-eight. It must have been a gruesomely difficult time for the entire family. Death was not something the Campbell family talked much about. However, when not grieving, Marj was quite the little jokester. She had a great sense of humour and was quick to laugh.
Even though Marj was tiny in stature she was strong, a force to be reckoned with when she wanted something done. Even though she was comical Marj was also silent, not wanting to be the centre of attention. She was the type of woman who worked determinedly and passionately behind the scenes at whatever she did. Marj was kind, had the patience of Job, sweet and “cute as a button.” She was stalwart and always there to help someone out. She cared for everyone.
One phrase Marj often used was “Good things come to those who wait.” She taught her children to stand back, don’t rush in, take your time and make no decision irrationally. One of the rare times Marj exhibited anger was when the kids were little and Bob and Carol got into a mud puddle. Ask them about it, it is a great story! In her younger years, Marj always had a vegetable garden and flower beds. She played the piano by ear and memories are shared of the sing-a-longs around the piano in their home.
Marj was very bright. She loved working the New York Times crossword puzzles, even doing them in ink. Jigsaw puzzles, the larger the better, were a favourite of Marj’s and she loved to read. Pocket novels and Reader’s Digests were at the top of her list. She had the most beautiful penmanship that, even in her more mature years, she did not lose. Letter writing was a regular activity, especially with family out west.
Marj was a great cook and baker. Her family loved her gooey butter tarts (with and without raisins), and even though Marj froze them to try and keep her family at bay, they still found them and ate them. Even to this day, frozen butter tarts are a favourite! Mmmmm! Sour Cream Raisin pie with a meringue top was another speciality of Marj’s. Like many cooks of her time, Marj could stretch and stretch a pound of hamburger and a can of soup. Marj herself enjoyed eating Fish and Chips and Chinese Food!
Pets were a big part of the Campbell family both on the farm and in town. There was “Taffy” the dog, “Sparky” or “Spark Plug” the dog, who were both beagles. However, there were also collies and shepherd crosses. Marj was forever going through her change purse looking for special coins. She even refinished furniture and crocheted numerous afghans, mostly for others. Not liking the cold, it was always a must for Marj to watch her soap operas, especially the Young and Restless. But truthfully, watching the Y & R had nothing to do with the weather, it just sounded good! TV was also useful for watching curling and Marj’s precious team, the Toronto Blue Jays.
And wasn’t she an avid fan, clapping and cheering them on! Her favourite player was Edwin Elpidio Encarnación as she really liked the way he ran around the bases with his “wing” out! A trip of a lifetime was taken just last year when the Campbell family went in a limousine to watch a baseball game. Fantastic! Disappointingly though, even though the family had a big sign commemorating Garnie and Marj’s 66 years of marriage, they did not make it on the jumbotron or TV! Boo hoo!
Marj was the glue that held her immediate and extended family together. Alternate Sundays were spent with one set of grandparents and then the other set. Marj loved being around family and having family and friends around her. Playing cards, spending a lot of time at the Legion in Paisley, playing darts, shuffleboard and dancing meant Garnie and Marj had lots of acquaintances. They curled in their younger years and Garnie played hockey. This too gave then a wide circle of friends.
Marjorie’s involvement in the Legion is legendary. She was the last surviving Charter Member of the Legion, a dedication of over sixty years of work. As mentioned, Garnie’s father served in the First World War and Marj’s brother served in the Second World War. Willard drove a Red Cross truck in France and was injured when a “friendly” bomb exploded nearby. Marj never did serve as president of the Legion’s Auxiliary as she much preferred to work behind the scenes, as previously mentioned.
Sadly, this past year has been exceedingly difficult. Marj had been diagnosed with lung cancer when she was eighty years old. And even though she lost part of a lung she came through it with flying colours. Developing arthritis took more of a toll on Marj, and when Garnie began to show subtle signs of dementia Marj took that challenge on as well. That is, until just this past May 31st when she fell. In July, Marj was forced to move into The Village in Hanover. This was a difficult move for the whole family, of course. On September 21st, Garnie moved into The Village as well. Another difficult move.
Marjorie Elizabeth (Webb) Campbell of Paisley, passed away at The Village Seniors Community, Hanover on Sunday, October 21, 2018 in her 85th year.
Beloved wife of Garnie. Loving mother of Sharon Steele of Simcoe, Bob (Mary-Helen) of R.R. #2 Paisley, Carol (Phil) Ryan of Simcoe and Lynne (Steven) Gabriel of Toronto. Marj will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Michael, Teahan, Angus, Nikki, Kathleen, Dean, Josh and Emily as well as great-grandchildren, Lukas, Nashville and Charlie. She will be fondly remembered by her sisters-in-law Shirley Dougan, Iris (Dennis) Papadopoulos and Doreen (Ken) Houston. Marj was predeceased by her son Rick, sisters Hazel Webb, Phyllis (Jim) Bain, brothers Willard, Norval, John “Jack” (Audrey), brother-in-law Ken Dougan and her parents Scott and Pearl (Dunlop) Webb.
Visitation will be held at Knox United Church, Paisley (399 Goldie St.) on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 12 noon until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. A Royal Canadian Legion Branch #295 Auxiliary service will be held at the church on Friday beginning at 11:45 a.m. Interment in Starkvale Cemetery, Paisley.
Memorial donations to Royal Canadian Legion Branch #295 (Paisley) would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
