STICKLES, Marjorie Anne (nee McDOWELL)

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our wonderful Mom, Marjorie, Marje, Auntie M and Grandma Marj. Marjorie Stickles (nee McDowell) passed peacefully at the Welland Hospital on May 27, 2023. Marjorie was 84 years old and was predeceased by her beloved husband of over 35 years, Daniel Stickles (2018), her late husband, David Lee (1969), her parents, Clarence and Doris McDowell (2001, 1994) and her youngest brother, Roly McDowell (1963). Loving mother of Peter (Rose) Lee, Arthur (Stefanie) Lee, Beverley (Samuel) Findlay, Shelly (Brett) Peacock, and Brenda (Neill) Harlen and dear big sister of Jack (Betty) McDowell. Much loved grandmother of Arthur Lee, Ruth (Wayne) Ho, Melissa (Kevin) Spry, Evelyn (Jeri) Stern, Brianna (Jeff) Reed, Lauren Peacock, David Lee, Jonathan (Emily) Findlay, Elisabeth (Caleb) Vidler, Caroline Lee, Connor Harlen and Ryan Harlen, and great-grandmother of Mackenzie, Abigail, Johanna, Josiah, Wesley, Rafael and Emersyn. Marjorie's family is extremely grateful for the care and companionship shown to her by her dear friend and neighbour, RuthAnn Mott-Gleason and by Pastor Adam Rich, Carole Rich and the entire congregation of the Beacon Baptist Church in Welland. The family also wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Gabrielli and the nursing staff in the 4West Ward at the Welland Hospital for the outstanding and compassionate care that Marjorie received. As her father, Clarence, liked to say "Every Life Has A Story" and Marjorie's life was no exception. She was born in Welland on March 2, 1939, the eldest of three children of Clarence and Doris McDowell, just six months before the start of WWII. She didn't always have it easy growing up on the "Island" in Humberstone, Ontario. Following enlistment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1941, her father was stationed throughout the war in Canada, with Toronto being the closest to their home in Humberstone. Not long afterwards, Marjorie's brother Jack was born in March 1942 and brother Roly was born in June 1943. As the oldest child and only daughter, and with her father away during most of the war and then later working three shifts at INCO in Port Colborne, she became like a second mother to her brothers Jack and Roly. Marjorie attended Port Colborne High School in the mid50's and upon graduation obtained her first job as a secretary with Bev Davies' law office, located above the Strand Theatre. Before too long, she met David Lee and they married in 1957. She was 18 and he was 23. In May 1958 their son, Peter, arrived, followed by Arthur in October 1959 and Beverley in September 1962. But the 1960's would not be easy for Marjorie, with her brother Roly's tragic death in a car accident in November 1963, Beverley's diagnosis, surgery and then long recovery from an aortic aneurysm at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children in 1966 at the tender age of four and her husband David's brain aneurysm and his passing in just six weeks in August 1969 at age 34. Suddenly, Marjorie became a widow with three young children at the very young age of 30. With no work experience since her marriage, she found a job as a Butcher's Assistant at Reid's Food Store on King Street in Port Colborne and then after a period of retraining, worked as a secretary with Walsh, Wakeman & Palmer, Insurance Adjusters in Welland, St. Catharines and Hamilton, until her retirement at age 62. While still living on Ash Street in Port Colborne, she met Dan Stickles in 1977 at Parents Without Partners and, following their move to Meadowvale Place in Welland, they were married in a private ceremony at home on December 23, 1982. She welcomed Dan's daughter's Shelly and Brenda as if they were her own and always cherished that she now had three daughters. She was always just "Mom," Marj," "Grandma Stickles" or "GG" and she loved her five children, twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren with all her heart and with equal devotion. After her husband Dan Stickles' diagnosis with Alzheimer's, his move into D.H. Rapelje Lodge in Welland and her move to an apartment on Denistoun Street in Welland, she made many friends in her building, the closest and dearest being RuthAnn Mott-Gleason. While living in Welland, she attended the Beacon Baptist Church and was a devoted member of the congregation, attending most of their church and family functions while she was still physically able. Often bringing candies or cookies for the small children and treats for other member's dogs, she was a very popular person to meet and talk with. Especially during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, Pastor Adam Rich, Carole Rich and the entire congregation were like family, always supporting and caring for her, checking in on her when she couldn't attend regular services in person and, most recently, giving her rides to her medical appointments and visiting her to keep her company and to let her know that she wasn't alone. It's difficult to put into words how much that meant to Marjorie's family, especially to her children. At her request, cremation has taken place. Marjorie's family will receive visitors at the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME, 1292 Pelham St., Fonthill, Ontario on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 1 to 2 p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will take place immediately afterwards at Pleasantview Cemetery at 2250 Highway #20, Fonthill, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, remembrances to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Alzheimer Society of Canada, The Kidney Foundation of Canada or Beacon Baptist Church (Welland) would be appreciated by the family.