Marjorie Seidlitz (nee McAdam)
May 26th, 2022
Marj passed away on May 26, 2022. She leaves behind her sons Don (Ruth) and Dave (Gale); grandchildren Carrie (Cam), Jeremy (Nancy), Dane and Kalie (MacKenzie) and 5 great-grandchildren. Marj was predeceased by her husband Eric and her 7 siblings (Jean, Jack, Sam, Ida, Lil, Bill and Martha).
Marj was born at the start of the depression on the family farm in Kedleston, Saskatchewan. When she was 6 her mother was moved to a sanitarium (never to return) for treatment of Tuberculosis. Growing up during tough times without a mother created a strong bond with her siblings and the family remained fiercely supportive of each other for the rest of their lives. Because of their mother’s Tuberculosis, some of the neighbors ostracized the McAdam family and this made the family bond even stronger. As the older siblings moved away, raising and caring for the youngest 2 (Jean and Jack) largely fell to Marj and her brother Sam. Because of the challenges she faced in the early years, Marj developed a special grit she would rely on to make it through tough times throughout her life.
The “dirty thirties” also had a lasting impact on Marj. During the 30’s the McAdam family received “relief” in the form of apples from B.C. and kippers from Atlantic Canada. To protect his pride her father would say the apples were rotten and the fish was too salty. Marj never forgot the lessons of the 30’s. She and her brother Sam were famous for pinching pennies (being cheap). She wasted nothing and pioneered recycling. The tin foil she used to barbeque potatoes would be carefully unwrapped, flattened out and used over and over again.
Eric and Marj started dating when they were young and neither of them ever dated anyone else. Marj married Eric in 1954. They loved each other and that love never waned. In February of 2021 Eric passed away laying at her side and neither of them would have wanted it any other way. After he passed, during most of our visits with her, she would say “I sure miss him”.
Marj took a lot of pride in her garden. Gardening was her passion, and she was good at it. In the fall, she always had a lot of canning to do and throughout the year she rarely purchased store-bought vegetables. She always planted extra potatoes “just in case of a crop failure” (which never happened) and shared what she could not use with her sisters and brothers.
Marj and Eric started a family in 1957 (Don) and a second son (Dave) was born in 1960. She was an extremely devoted mother and her support for her sons was unwavering.
Marj could be counted on to come to the aid of her brothers and sisters whenever help was needed. When her sister Lil was ill with Tuberculosis she helped look after the Duckworth children and Lil’s children always had a special place in her heart. She helped her brother Jack and his wife Nita when their son Robbie was going through cancer treatments. Later when Nita developed cancer, she was there for her brother again. Jack and Marj had special bond. During the years Jack lived at Extendicare he would call Marj daily. Marj also helped out with raising Peter and Henry Seidlitz after the divorce of their parents. Trips to the beach always included Peter and Henry along with her own children.
Marj grew up next to Last Mountain Lake and throughout her life she loved going to the beach and swimming. Over the years she shared her love for beaching with her children and eventually with her grandchildren.
During the many years Eric worked in Regina, week days were spent in Regina and weekends were spent on the farm. Every Friday Marj would pack up what the family needed to spend the weekend at the farm and every Sunday the family would return to the city. The Friday packing always included scalloped potatoes and ham.
After Eric retired from his job in Regina, Marj and Eric moved back to the farm full time to the country life they loved. This was the best part of their lives. When the grandchildren came along Marj and Eric would make weekly trips to Regina to take the kids to the Dairy Queen. Gramma always made a point of telling the kids it was costing her a fortune but that was done in fun and they knew she really did not mind paying. She loved her grandchildren and they loved gramma. Gramma sandwiches at the farm were a favorite of all the grandkids.
Teasing was a big part of Marj’s sense of humor. She liked to play pranks and make jokes and she could come up with some startling language and behavior for shock effect. She spoke her mind and was not afraid to provide an opinion on most anything. She was famous for her “free advice”. The family usually felt the value and price of her advice were a match.
Marj enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. She touched the lives of many, and she will be fondly remembered.
The family plans to invite friends and family to a Celebration of Life for Eric and Marj at a later date.
Messages:
Don & Dave: My sincere condolence on the passing of your mother. Blessings to you and your families.
Don and family, we extend our condolences regarding the passing of your mother. Although this is a sad time you will have any fond memories of your mother that will last a lifetime. Ken and Erin Dusselier
My sympathies to the family. I was born 4 days after Marilyn Bast. I went to high school with Sharon Fahlman. Virtual hugs to you all.
Don, Ruth, Dave and Gail. My deepest condolences on the passing of Aunty Madge. As you know she and your Dad were very special to our family. We always enjoyed visiting with them, they were so welcoming and they were so open to talk about anything. The eulogy was just awesome and exactly how I remember them both. Rest in peace now Aunty Madge.
Donnie, Ruth, Dave, Gale and families. Lots of hugs coming your way! Aunty Madge was one of a kind for anyone who knew her. She was always up for a visit to see how you and your family were doing. Aunty Madge and Uncle Eric were some of the most modern thinking seniors I knew. They were both open minded and up for change with new ideas that young people had to offer. There’s always those special people in our lives that leave a lasting impression and Aunty Madge and Uncle Eric are some of those people for us.
Don, Dave and families: Sincere condolences during the recent loss of your dear Mom, Marjorie. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She was a great visit and had lots of great stories to pass on. Our sincere sympathy .
Don, Ruth and family. I never had the privilege of meeting your parents in person. Thank you for letting me know them through this beautiful story of their life. No one ever prepares us for the loss of our parents and it is the hardest thing to live with. Just remember they are always in our memories and are there when you look up at the stars on a clear Saskatchewan night.
Don and . .Dave . Our condolences on the passing of your mother. She has lived a good life. Good memories.