McPhee, Marjorie H. – age 86, of Parrsboro passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the Gables Lodge, Amherst. Born in Lakelands, she was the youngest daughter of the late Cecil and Mabel (Rushton) Moore. Mum attended the one room school in Lakelands, and was baptised in the lake beside the family homestead. With the ‘gift of gab’ Mum worked as a waitress at the Acadian Lines Bus Terminal in Amherst, Burke’s Restaurant in Parrsboro, and later was a switchboard operator at the Parrsboro Telephone Office. Mum met her soulmate, Danny McPhee when she was 18, in Parrsboro. He was tall and thin, with curly black hair, and was the “best man in the whole world.” Danny worked ‘Out West’ in the lumber camps, yet they continued their relationship until Danny returned home to Parrsboro in 1955. They built their house in Whitehall in 1961 and were married in 1962. They moved in, settled down and raised a family. Danny (along with Mum) and Uncle Lloyd Repetto (along with Aunt Jean) operated the Crossroads Garage for more than 30 years. Marjorie enjoyed the ledger work and bank deposits – Mum liked the money; Dad made it, Mum spent it! Mum ran a tight ship, and didn’t waste money or electricity. Her children were taught to use it up, make it over, pass it on, long before it was “reduce, reuse, recycle.” As a family of 6, there was plenty to do. There were several gardens, they raised hens, had pigs, and cut wood. Mum loved to hang clothes on the line, and overlook their beautiful property facing the water (sentimentally known as “Happy Days”). Mum and Dad enjoyed the deer and other wildlife that would wander into the fields from the large attached woodlot. Mum greatly enjoyed Christmas, jigsaw puzzles, getting mail, talking on the phone, yard sales, A.C.W., the Ottawa House, lobster, gravy on anything, but most of all, her family meant everything to her. Mum fought and beat cancer three times, and her families continuous support and her enduring faith kept her strong. She settled at Gables Lodge in 2019, but never stopped missing “home.” She is survived by her children, Jean Allen (Mitch), and her children, Christopher and Lucas; Marlene McPhee (Eric Hurley); Timothy ‘Tim’ McPhee (Sondra), and their children, Madison and Mackenzie; Beverly ‘Bev’ Pugsley (Paul), and their son, Liam; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, June McPhee, Myrna McPhee, Helen McPhee. She was predeceased by her soulmate of 50+ years, Danny McPhee in 2013; her sister, Lorena Wilson in 2022. Public visitation will be held 6-8 pm Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Smith’s Funeral Home, Parrsboro. Funeral service will be held 2 pm on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at St. George’s Anglican Church, Parrsboro, Rev. Dr. Brian Spence officiating. Burial in the church cemetery. Reception to follow in the St. George’s Church Hall. Memorial donations may be made to the Recreation Program of Gables Lodge, Amherst, St. George’s Anglican Church, Parrsboro or to a charity of choice.
