Marjorie Louise (deWit) Lindsey, 76
Marjorie Louise (deWit) Lindsey, 76, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, after a brief struggle with pancreatic cancer, years after surviving breast cancer in her 40s.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Kent; son, Scott, of Penticton, British Columbia; daughter, Jeanne (Roger) Mace, of Kelowna, British Columbia; and four grandchildren, Danelle, Karly, Lindsey and Alex.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, Klaas and Gertrude deWit; and her sister, Grace Marie Elliott.
Marjorie was born and raised in Northwestern Montana and attended Montana State University as a proud member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She was valedictorian of both her high school and university graduations.
On June 23, 1963, she married the love of her life Dr. Kent W. Lindsey. Marj and Kent first lived in Pullman, Washington, where Marjorie taught art at the local schools while Kent completed his veterinary degree. After a brief stay in southern California where Scott was born, the young family relocated to Penticton where Jeanne was born. Although they had originally intended to move back to Montana they quickly fell in love with the Okanagan, British Columbia, and all it had to offer. They took advantage of the chance to both ski and sail in the valley that they then called home. In 2003 Kent and Marj moved to their beloved Sunshine Coast in British Columbia to build the house of their dreams, Eaglecrest.
Marjorie saw life through the eyes of an artist. Her particular passion was working with local materials and subjects both in her pottery, her sketches and her paintings of coastal B.C. She enjoyed getting dirty in the garden, dancing with Kent and spoiling her grandchildren. She had a wicked sense of humor and an uncanny ability to make others smile and leave people feeling good about themselves.
Marjorie adored her family, chocolate and football, not necessarily in that order. Marj and Kent wandered in their fifth wheel from the sunny Baja to the wild Alaskan northern shores. She loved both the ocean tides and the Arizona desert with its diverse cacti and golf destinations. Like her father, Marj picked up golf in her 70s. Marj volunteered with numerous organizations most recently with the Sunshine Coast Health Care Auxiliary and at Totem Lodge residential care centre where she loved to sneak candy in for the residents.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt, British Columbia, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. Another celebration will occur in Penticton in the spring, date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your local hospital auxiliary or hospital foundation.
Marjorie, our memories of you will live in our hearts forever.