VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Miss Marjorie Helen MacKenzie, 81, died peacefully on November 30, 2010, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Virginia Beach, VA.
Born in Gloucester on August 9, 1929, she was the third of seven children born to Francis Gideon and Mary Ellen (Carter) MacKenzie. She grew up on Liberty Street in Gloucester, and had attended St. Ann School and Gloucester High School. She moved to Connecticut following graduation.
She was affectionately known as "Auntie Ree Ree" to her young nieces and nephews, who had a little trouble getting their tongues around Marjorie, and the name never changed. "Auntie Ree Ree" was a regular visitor to Gloucester and was always there for family Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.
Eventually, she moved back to Gloucester, where she was employed by H.C. Brown and then Gorton's of Gloucester until her retirement. She was a breakfast regular at Uncle Moe's for many years and enjoyed the daily company of her friends. In her later years, she moved to Norfolk, Virginia to be with her brother, Paul, to whom she was especially close.
In Virginia, she was fortunate to join Paul as an "adopted member" of the Reams and Heilman families. Her Massachusetts family is deeply indebted to both families for their many acts of kindness. After Paul's death in 2008, she remained a resident of Thornton Hall for several years before moving to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
When asked in a family reunion questionnaire, she said she would like to be remembered for "loving my whole family so much.” She will be, and we also remember her loving heart and the many kind and caring things she did.
She is survived by two brothers, Francis MacKenzie and his wife, Elizabeth of Gloucester and Donald MacKenzie of New Britain, CT; and her nieces and nephews, Donald J. MacKenzie, Jr., and his wife, Sue of East Haddam, CT, Bryan MacKenzie of Kensington, CT, Brenda MacKenzie Matulis and her husband, Matthew of Salem, CT, Paula MacKenzie of Gloucester, Denise MacKenzie Talbot and her husband, Jim of Cary, NC, Janice MacKenzie of Rochester, NH, Debra Maguire Rieke and her husband, Paul of Houston, TX, Beth Johnson Paecht and her husband, Steve of Holliston, MA, Kim Troy Ringquist and her husband, Chuck of Plantsville, CT, Lee Troy of CT, Lori Troy Knapp and her husband, Tim of Bristol, CT; and by many great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her brother, Paul C. MacKenzie, she was predeceased her sisters, Ella Hart, Janice Johnson and Judith Troy; nieces, Mary Stevens and Catherine Maguire McEachern and nephews, Stephen and David MacKenzie.
A combined funeral service for both Marjorie and Paul will be held on Friday morning in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 – 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery.