Marjory Leone was known as Mickie from a very young age. She was born December 17, 1934 in Waterloo to parents Arthur Ralph and Janet (Hauser) Clayfield. She joined older sister Patricia and completed the Clayfield family. Marjory and her family resided in Waterloo throughout her childhood, moving a few times through the years. Here she attended both public and high school. Throughout her youth, she enjoyed spending free time with friends at the dance halls and in the winter months, Marjory loved ice skating.
While at “The Waterloo Show” (the movies) Marjory was introduced to a young man by the name of Harvey Kraft. In later years Marjory was quick to point out that she was won over by Harvey at first, but the movie theatre was common ground for both Marjory and Harvey and they ran into each other there several more times in the months following. He soon began to gain more of her attention and the two were married on Saturday, February 14, 1953 by Marjory’s Uncle Clarence Hauser C.R. of St. Jerome’s College. The nuptials took place at St. Louis Roman Catholic Church in Kitchener. The newlyweds soon moved in with Harvey’s parents on the family farm. In time they moved to Spadina St. in Kitchener before moving to Crestwood Ave. in the late 50’s. By this time the Kraft family was growing quickly with the arrivals of Chris (1953), Lee (1954), Mark (1957), Joy (1960), Danny (1962) and Parry (1965).
Life was busy for Marjory as she cared for and provided for her young family. She had taught herself to knit and crochet which proved very beneficial as her family grew. The kids fondly remember the many clothes Marjory made (and repaired) for all of them. Fridays were often the “shopping” day and the kids fondly remember their visits to Kresheys…if they were good!:) Marjory would often treat the kids to a pop, milkshake or ice cream. Thursdays were Mickie and Harvey’s night out and they frequented the Waterloo Rod & Gun Club. Here, Mickie loved to play shuffleboard. As the kids grew, Marjory was afforded some extra free time whereby she enjoyed gardening, working on puzzles and baking. Her family praised her baking skills, with her chocolate chip cookies, butter tarts, Nanaimo bars being a few family favourites. She was also known to start her Christmas Cake in July. Marjory loved her fruit and an apple tree on their property didn’t hurt either as fresh apple pie or apple crisp was a staple…yum! She would also bake to family preferences, meaning upon your arrival some of your favourite sweets were often waiting for you! In addition to baking, Marjory was known to collect a wide variety of salt & pepper shakers through the years.
Another family passion was camping. The Kraft family began with a twelve-man tent, then moved up to a soft-top trailer and finally a normal hard-topped trailer. The family had several favourites but seemed to spend a lot of time at the Durham Conservation Area, Alliston and River Place, between Durham and Varney. It was here that the Krafts and five other families (they were all very close friends) rented land and parked their trailers on the Saugeen River near Ayton and Neustadt, for the summer. Mickie was also very devoted to her soaps! She often arranged her day around their airings with the Young & Restless, One Life to Live and General Hospital being her favourites.
Mickie and Harvey downsized to an apartment in Kitchener in 1981. By 1985, they purchased a forty- acre parcel of land outside of Dornoch. They moved to the property in 1992 but decided to move to Chesley in 2000 to make things easier for both of them. Sadly, Harvey’s health continued to decline in the years that followed and he passed away in May of 2017. Marjory was very determined and fiercely independent, continuing as the backbone of the family. Although stubborn at times, she would always let you know where you stood with her but she would always prefer to keep to herself. Her family, however, was her pride and joy and she would do anything to support any one of them. Sadly, Marjory passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 4, 2021 in the 87th year.
Cherished mother of Chris (Kathie Martin) of Kitchener, Lee Roy of New Dundee, Mark of Kitchener, Joy (John) Mondy of Puslinch, Danny and Parry, both of Kitchener. Mickie will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren, Brandy (Mike), Stephanie (Blake), Cody, Thomas and great-grandmother of Georgia and Johnathan. She was predeceased by her husband Harvey (2017), son-in-law Ken Roy, sister Patricia Arnold and her parents Arthur and Janet (Hauser) Clayfield.
In respecting Mickie’s wishes cremation has taken place and there will be no further services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
