Marjorie Viola McCoy was born October 26, 1921 in Shelbourne, Nova Scotia. Her parents were Frederick Lewis Acker (November 22, 1879 – April 18, 1962 and Harriet Elizabeth Mahaney (November 9, 1888 – April 16, 1970). She was the baby sister, by ten years, to her brother Earl.
Marjorie attended both public and high school in Shelbourne and then went on to attend nursing school in Halifax. By this time WWII had ended and Earl returned home wounded. Marjorie left nursing school to return home and help her mother tend to her brother. Marjorie continued to nurse privately after that. Earl continued to have a difficult time yet also went on to marry (Hilga) and have two daughters, Brenda and Diana.
In 1947, Marjorie married R.W. (Bill) Trimble. He had been in the air force, positioned in Nova Scotia, when they met and the newly married couple quickly returned to Ontario. The newlyweds moved to Tara and lived there for a very short period of time before Bill found work at Krug’s Factory in Chesley. When able, they moved into Chesley and Marjorie later went to work for Bea Foster at their bakery making a wage of $0.46 an hour. In fact, Marjorie and Bill lived right across the street from the Fosters. Sandra joined the young couple in 1948 and Dennis arrived in 1952. Regrettably, Marjorie and Bill were only married for nineteen years as Bill died suddenly in 1966 at the Owen Sound Hospital.
Around 1970, Marjorie was fortunate enough to find love a second time as she married Harvey E. McCoy. Harvey brought his son Jerry into the family as his first wife had also died, in 1967. Harvey farmed at R.R. #3 Chesley and Marjorie joined him on the farm. In 1997, they moved into Hanover due to Harvey’s failing health and Harvey passed away in 2002.
When asked if she ever had any pets Marjorie tells a delightful story about her granddaughter Stephanie and a cat named Jessie. After a number of pleading conversations, letters and “NO’s!” the cat came to stay and lived with Marjorie and Harvey for 19 years. Aside from Jessie the Cat, Marjorie enjoyed alley bowling. Like most people in this area of Canada Marjorie loved her four seasons. She also enjoyed Old Time music and reading – a lot of reading – be it newspapers, magazines or books. Throughout her life, Marjorie missed the East Coast terribly. In fact, Shelbourne, Nova Scotia is known for its breathtakingly beautiful scenery with miles of forests, surrounding crystal lakes, crashing ocean and fresh clean air. How could Marjorie not miss it all? It was a matter of wanting to go home but just not being physically able to do so.
When Dennis was just six months old, Marjorie fell down the stairs with Dennis in her arms and she has wrestled with a bad back ever since. That, and being a very young widow were Marjorie’s greatest challenges. She was always very independent and yes, even though it was a struggle at times, she did do it her own way. Marjorie scrimped and saved to raise her two children.
During Marjorie’s working career, she worked at many of the stores in Chesley, including Stedmans, Wades Pharmacy, Browns Bakery, Marklevitz Meats, The Looking Glass, Eleanor Lougheads Gift Store, Murrays Clothing Store. Marjorie also worked for Dr. T. Totton and Dr. Everest who were both dentists. After that, she also worked at Parkview Manor.
Her greatest influences were her parents and they taught her well. Probably the greatest life lesson was how to work hard and yet have a good time doing it. Even though Marjorie was very housebound in the later years, she still did not go to bed until 11 p.m. and woke up daily at 7, with no naps in between.
Marjorie appreciated personal interactions with people and had good friends in Ren and Fran Slumskie as well as Doreen Cook, Nancy McLellan and Linda Dunk. From a little family of two, Marjorie’s family has now grown to include six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her greatest wish was to live out her life in her own home. Except for a short period in the hospital prior to her passing, she achieved her wish.
Marjorie passed away at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
Loving mother of Sandra (Brian) Klages, Dennis Trimble and stepmother of Jerry (June) McCoy. Fondly remembered by her grandchildren Stephanie, Terri, Shawn (Heidi), Bryce (Krista), Melissa (Bob) and Scott. Loving great-grandmother of Josh, Reid, Eastyn, Colby, Brynne, Macgregor, Landon and Ava. Marjorie was predeceased by her first husband Robert “Bill” Willis Trimble (1966), second husband Harvey McCoy (2002), brother Earl (Hilge) Acker and her parents Frederick and Elizabeth (Mahaney) Acker.
In keeping with Marj’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or service. Spring inurnment in the Chesley Cemetery. Please just remember her with love!
Memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
