RUTHERFORD, Marcelin Anne 'Marcie' (nee MacEachern) - (March 15, 1932 – December 10, 2018) - "O, she doth teach the torchese to burn bright."
Our beautiful mother has left us and we are bereft. We can only comfort ourselves with memories of her sparkle, warmth and ever-ready laughter, and be grateful that she brightened the world for 86 years.
Marcie was born March 15, 1932 in depression-era Saskatoon, the youngest daughter of Anne Hawthorne and Stephen MacEachern, and sister of Sherry MacEachern (Toronto) and Donald MacEachern (Minneapolis).
Marcie’s star-quality was evident early when she was chosen from among hundreds of hopeful little girls to present flowers to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their 1939 Royal Tour of Canada. For the rest of her life Mom treasured both the memory and the photo of herself as a shy seven-year old in a pink taffeta dress and bonnet that was broadcast around the world.
Higher education for women was valued by her family and Mom was encouraged to attend university, as her mother had done. Mom obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan, where she was also a member of the varsity badminton team and president of her sorority. There was also plenty of time for parties. Her yearbooks are full of pictures of her with her sorority sisters dancing in strapless tulle gowns.
After graduation Mom worked as a social worker in northern Saskatchewan and never forgot the harsh conditions she witnessed there. One summer evening when she returned from work, she met a handsome young man who was training as an RCAF pilot while attending Royal Military College. Our future Dad, Richard Rutherford of Peterborough, had the good luck to meet our grandmother who was so taken by him that she immediately invited him home to meet her daughter. Three years later Mom and Dad married and settled in Ontario, first in North Bay, where two daughters were born, followed by a move to Toronto where two sons and another daughter arrived.
They spent their first years in Toronto at 188 Birkdale Road in Scarborough where Mom was a founding member of a network of neighbourhood homemakers who became bridge partners and life-long friends. Those years as a young mother of five children were a busy blur, fueled by her energy and joie-de-vivre. Effortlessly, it seemed, she kept a spotless home, served homemade meals seven days a week, read voraciously, and was omnipresent at school recitals, swimming and ballet lessons, and hockey games. She was active and chic and we were proud of our smart, vivacious and beautiful mother.
The house Mom and Dad built together in Willowdale became the family home and original office of Rutherford Contracting, and after many years of helping Dad build the business and raising her family, Mom found more time for two of her passions: travel and sports. Our now-empty bedroom closets became storage space for her collections of golf, tennis and ski wear. She travelled extensively, either with Dad or more often with her sister, and best friend, Sherry and sister-in-law Maureen. She skied in Colorado; cycled through France; travelled by train across Australia; explored Russia, Japan and Italy; trekked along the Great Wall in China, and then spent time with her family and friends at the cottage.
When not traveling, Mom and Dad delighted in spending time with their grandchildren. They were pleased that their children had thoughtfully spaced ten grandchildren over 29 years so that each child had their individual attention for a few years. The recent arrival of two great-grandchildren brought more joy.
As Mom and Dad aged they needed a more manageable lifestyle. Their home of many years was sold and they moved to a lovely condominium in Aurora, where they were able to relax and enjoy having few responsibilities for the first time in their long lives.
On December 10, Mom’s earthly journey came to an end. She slipped away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her. She leaves Dick, her beloved husband of 62 years, her loving siblings, and the children who cherish her, Nancy, Patty Rantz, Mark (Elisabetta), Christine, and Scott (Gabe). Also left to mourn their unforgettable grandmother are her grandchildren Riley (Marj), Christian, Emily, Courtney, Ryan, Maddalena, Maya, Owen, Rachele, and Blake, and her great-grandchildren Violet and Cole. She will be very sadly missed by her devoted caregiver Lottie Phady.
We will say our goodbyes to Mom on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Pkwy. S, Aurora. The service will begin at 11 am with a reception to follow. Please come and share your tears, laughter and memories of our gentle mother.
Grief is truly the price we pay for love. And Mom, we pay it willingly and will be forever in your debt for each moment you gave to us. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choosing.
Marcelin Anne Rutherford was born on March 15, 1932 and passed away on December 10, 2018.
Memorial visitation will be held at Thompson funeral home, Aurora on January 12, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until time of memorial service there at 11:00 a.m.
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