“To Whom much is given, much is expected“ my stunning grandmother Marjorie Eleanor Heffernan Losier lived her life by that belief.  She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, January 13, 1922.  What a time that must have been. She was the middle child of 3 siblings, her older sister Marie and her younger brother Jack.  Marjorie or Margie as later we called her was probably the typical middle child, a bit rebellious and marched to the beat of her own drum all the while knowing exactly how to charm anyone she encountered.  She met a dashing doctor when she was just 18!  Imagine that, I have no doubt my grandfather took one look at this incredible beauty and fell completely in love in that moment, he was almost 30 years old at the time!

She moved across the country with two small children to a town where she knew no one!  Although Chatham and later Miramichi as a whole became her home, she had to forge her way in a time that didn’t have those connection conveniences we take for granted these days.  She left her entire family back in Edmonton, never quite sure when she might see them again.  It wasn’t so easy or affordable back then to see or even call when the whim might take her.  She truly must have felt quite alone.  She lost her sister and brother at young ages, both of them.  Her will of steel was evident to all who knew her.  Once she made up her mind, she stood by that!  She and my grandfather Percy went on to have 5 more children here in Miramichi.  I think most know of our four generations of doctors in the family, it’s hard to imagine a better example of a family calling!  What most don’t know however, is the remaining siblings all became teachers, they led by example and influenced generations of children in their care.  They are a family of community servants who have never stopped giving back.  

Margie lived a life of quiet leadership for the most part, she let her example be her voice. She raised seven incredible children who enhanced the lives of those around them each in their own way.  None of them, though, could have done that without her, she supported, cajoled and guided them all throughout their lives so that they could be the best version of themselves possible.  She was a constant sounding board and ear for all that sought her out.  Given the time in our history it was quite remarkable really that she ensured all of her children not only went to University but excelled in their chosen careers. 

She was stunningly beautiful, glamourous in what she wore and never a hair out of place.  I can still hear her coming down the hall in her high heels, she was never ever, and I mean never without a pair of heels on, even in her nightie!  Did I mention that grandpa was 5ft 2in and she was already 5ft 6in bare feet, it didn’t matter, she was happiest in heels and she wore them with grace!  She was the kind of woman that when you saw her in the grocery store or at church, you just stared because she had such a presence about her and a gift for connecting with those around her.  

We lost my grandfather quite a few years ago in 1983, he was 72 years old.  Grandma was still a relatively young woman at that time.  She continued on without him, here in the town that had become her home.  

She was a defining influence on my life and I’ve tried to live up to her example every day.  We lost Margie January 14, 2009, the day after her 87^th birthday.  There is so much more I could say about her, her quick wit, her thirst for knowledge and love of playing bridge and Scrabble just to name a few but that still wouldn’t cover as much as she deserves.  Today would have been her 100^th birthday, we always had a celebration, this year I’m thinking back to the wonderful things she did with her life all the while being the best dressed in the room!

#2022AdventureIsCalling