Marion B. McGee (Shannon) passed away peacefully on Monday, February 8, 2021 at the age of 98 years. She was fondly referred to as the “Energizer Bunny” because she just kept on going.
Mom was the oldest of seven children, born in Calgary Alberta, moving to B.C. Our fond memories growing up were visits and summers near Grandma and Grandpa Shannon at Crescent Beach. Mom would smear us with lotion at Front Beach and sit reading a book. She was an avid reader. We would stay all day building sandcastles until the tide, coming in, washed them away despite our efforts to keep them intact.
Mom graduated from Little Flower Academy in Vancouver in 1946 where she kept in touch with many of her “Golden Girl” classmates. Mom and these friends were proud to be recognized at LFA / 90th Anniversary as the most senior of all the Alumni.
She went on to become a Registered Nurse trained at St Paul’s School of Nursing, Vancouver in 1949.
To further her education in 1951, she completed post graduate courses at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Montreal in Pediatrics/Children’s diseases. Those that knew her well know how much she LOVED babies! She was always knitting pink or blue sweaters with booties and hats.
Mom then met our Dad, Bert McGee, a student at McGill University in Montreal, from Sherbrooke Quebec. They were married, September 1, 1951. They moved back to B.C. because Mom was so homesick for her close family. Mom continued her nursing career at St. Vincent’s and Queen’s Park Hospitals while wearing many hats as a wife, mother of four, aunt, and friend to many. She welcomed many to our home on Neville Street in Burnaby. More often than not they had a baby. They attended Alta Vista Baptist Church and were involved with Pioneer Camps and Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship.
They moved to Langley when Dad worked at Trinity Western and attended Mennonite Fellowship. Later they lived on campus at U.B.C. where they attended Point Grey Fellowship. They enjoyed travelling, long stay in Sherbrooke and lots of time with their extended family with the arrival of grandchildren and now great grandchildren!
Mom lived the last twelve years at Thornebridge Gardens in New Westminster. She travelled, went to concerts, read, knitted, listened to her favourite classical music and hymns. She even snuck in a few Hallmark Christmas movies and met up with her sisters/brothers for birthday lunches. She enjoyed old friends and new. She loved her time there!
At her request, there will be no service. She will join Dad at Crescent Beach.
In lieu of flower, donations can be made to a Charity of your choice in her name.