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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
DUFF, Marjorie Roberta (Marj) (née SHARP) - Passed away peacefully at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on January 21, 2008 in her 82nd year. She was predeceased by her husband of almost fifty-six years, Donald Gartly Duff in June 2003. Marj, as she was known to her friends, was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on June 17, 1926. She will be sadly missed by her loving children, Ian (Paula), Glenn (Diana), Wayne, Sheila, and Lorna (Greg); grandchildren Carlton (Melissa), Katie (Jamie), Jennifer, Sarah and William; her sisters Betty, Audrey (Herbert), Elaine, and Beverly; and her many nieces and nephews. Marj was predeceased by her parents, Louisa and Thomas Sharp, her sister Lois and brother Robert. Marj was a veteran of World War II, having served with the WRENS (Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service). She joined in 1944, two weeks after turning eighteen. Basic training was at HMCS Conestoga, the sole training base for WRENS. She then went to HMCS Ste. Hyacinthe, for an intensive Wireless Telegraphy course, learning the Morse code and the Japanese code (KANA). She was posted to Gloucester and then to Whitehead Wireless Stations. She took her discharge in Winnipeg and returned to Regina where she enrolled at the DVA School taking drafting. She met and married Donald (three years overseas duty in Holland, Belgium and France) in 1947. They then moved to Calgary, to work in the oil patch, spent six years in Edmonton when Don was transferred with AMOCO Canada (1957 to 1963), then returned to Calgary, where she lived until retiring to Qualicum Beach, BC in 2005. She was a life member of the Calgary Naval Veterans Association, and was proud to have been at the commissioning of the HMCS Calgary in 1995 and to have had the honour of being onboard for two special sailings. Marj made many friends throughout her lifetime with her kind heart and good nature. Her endless energy will be missed by all who knew her. A special thank you to the Nurses and Doctors in the Palliative Care unit of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. A Memorial Service, to celebrate Marj's life, will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church (1407 - 7 Avenue N.W., Calgary) on February 8, 2008, 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Singh officiating. Reception to follow. Inurnment at Queen's Park Cemetery during a private family Service. No flowers please, if so desired, a memorial donation may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Canadian Cancer Society. (Calgary Herald 01 Feb 2008)
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