Obituary of Marjorie Cecilia Whitcomb

It is with both sadness and acceptance that the family of Marjorie C. (Horsnell) Whitcomb announce her passing on Sept 22, 2022, at Bobby’s Hospice with her family by her side. Born in Fredericton in 1925, Marjorie was a daughter of the late Alfred and Alice E. (Cordrey) Horsnell, and widow of the late G. Murdoch Whitcomb.

Marj is survived by two sons; Richard (Roberta) Whitcomb, of Saint John, Ross (Trisha) Whitcomb, of Saint John, two daughters; Jane (Greg) MacNeill, of Timberlea, N.S., and Jennifer (Norman) Gosse, of Bedford, N.S., one brother; John (Ann) Horsnell, of Lake George, N.B., one sister; Gwen (James Scott) McMullin, of Fredericton, N.B., one brother-in-law; Bill Kimmo, of Toronto, Ont., eight grandchildren; Sean (Kayla Cooper) Whitcomb, Elizabeth Whitcomb (Mark Macdonald), Cameron (Mary) Whitcomb, Michael (Renee Kinden) Whitcomb, Emily Whitcomb, Gregory Whitcomb, Eric (Anna Rose) MacNeill, Gillian MacNeill, step grandchildren, Christopher (Courtenay Kyle) Gosse and Michelle Gosse, great grandson Oliver Whitcomb, step great grandchildren, Deacon Gosse, Vera James, Ethan and Ella Macdonald, and many nieces and nephews.

Marjorie was predeceased by her parents, her husband; Murdoch, one granddaughter in infancy; Katherine Elizabeth MacNeill, one brother; Alfred “Sonny” (Dorothy) Horsnell, three sisters; Phyllis Horsnell, Doreen (Fred) Blair, and Lillian Kimmo, brother-in-law, James McMullin, and two nephews and one niece.

Marjorie graduated from Fredericton High School and Saint John General School of Nursing, after which she joined the Army and was immediately sent to Toronto. She was soon called to serve in the Korean War, helping treat and care for wounded soldiers. After the war, Marjorie returned home and was stationed in Western Canada, eventually being transferred to Chilliwack BC where she met her future husband Murdoch Whitcomb.

When “Mom” wasn’t in the kitchen preparing her wonderful family meals, baking pies or making cookies, she could be found playing bridge or curling with her friends at the Carlton Curling Club.

Marj spent her summers at her cottage at Lake George close to her siblings. She was the kind and gentle Nanny who enjoyed a houseful of children and grandchildren coming and going all summer long. Marj would watch with great interest, the loons, ducks and hummingbirds, beautiful blue skies and sunsets and enjoyed sharing “Happy Hour” on the deck with neighbours and family. One of the greatest gifts our Mom passed along to her children and grandchildren is the importance of family. “Caring and sharing” were certainly two of the most important and prominent of her many attributes. She lived a rich, full life and will be truly missed.

 Castle Funeral Home 309 Lancaster Ave. Saint John, N.B. have been entrusted with the arrangements. A celebration of Marjorie’s life will be held on Saturday October 1, 2022, at Castle “Fallsview” Chapel at 2 pm. Interment will take place in Fredericton, N.B. in the spring of 2023.

Donations to Bobby’s Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be made at www.castlefh.ca