Obituary of Margaret Mary Murdoch

It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother, Margaret Mary Murdoch (née MacDonald) on September 10, 2020 at her home in Thomas Hall, Shannex. Born on May 5, 1935 in Glace Bay, NS, she was the daughter of Maurice and Mary (née Campbell) MacDonald. Margie’s early days were impacted by the Great Depression and the loss of her mother to tuberculosis, at the age of three. Through love and courage, Maurice set out on a journey to raise Margie himself, a task unheard of at the time. Margie attended grade school in Glace Bay, then pursued nursing studies in Antigonish at St. Martha’s School of Nursing and St. Francis Xavier University. There, she met her husband-to-be, Fred Murdoch, who she married on December 29, 1959. Fred and Margie started their life together in Halifax, NS where Fred pursued his dental training and Margie became a nursing instructor at the VGH. After starting their family and completing Fred’s education, they settled in Fredericton, NB in 1960 where they continued to build their family and build a life. Here they raised four children and became an integral part of the community. Margie chose to stay home to raise their children. She returned to nursing after a 15 year hiatus but she changed directions slightly when she became the head of the NB Lung Association. In this career, she was focused on further improving the health of New Brunswickers, from young to old. Margie retired early from the Association due to profound hearing loss. She was able to focus her energies on her real passion, family. As an only child, surrounding herself with children was the joy of her life. Adding grandchildren to her life was the icing on the cake. Her love for family was obvious in her beautiful smile, right to the end of her beautiful life. Margie’s passions were family, friends, the cottage, the river, and her puppies. She embraced them all with a vigor and grace, obvious to all. Her later years were a challenge with the slow onset of Alzheimer’s and the loss of Fred. Their relationship grew strong through their later years, their love for each other was obvious through their patience and caring. As with anything Margie engaged or touched, she did it with grace and love. She was granted peace and serenity during her long struggle with Alzheimer’s, for which we are eternally grateful. Margie is survived by her children Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch (John) of Indianapolis, USA, Mary Ellen Jackson (Glenn) of Fredericton, NB, Edward Murdoch (Leslie) of Nanoose Bay, BC, John Murdoch (Kimberly Butt) of Fredericton, NB; grandchildren Ben Kinch, Alex Kinch, and Maureen Kinch of Indianapolis, USA, Anna Jackson, Molly Jackson, and Mark Jackson of Fredericton, NB, Jacob Murdoch and Erin Murdoch of Nanoose Bay, BC, Jillian Murdoch, Olivia Murdoch, and Sophia Murdoch of Fredericton, NB; stepsister Donna MacDonald of Halifax, NS; stepbrother Maurice MacDonald of Halifax, NS; dearest nephew Tom Fagan, of Ottawa, ON; special lifelong friend Judy McMullin of Glace Bay, NS, Carmel Smyth of Glace Bay, NS (and now Fredericton, NB), as well as numerous cousins, distant relatives, and friends. Margie will be missed by her puppies Tilly, Tess, and Misty. Margie is predeceased by her husband Fred Murdoch; father Maurice MacDonald; mother Mary (née Campbell) MacDonald; and stepmother Theresa MacDonald. Margie’s family is grateful for the attentive staff at Shannex who treated her with care, kindness, and professionalism. They will always have a special place in their hearts, as did Margie, for her wonderful, devoted caregiver of many years, Cindy. Margie’s family will miss her, with a loss for words. Her intelligence, compassion, warmth, patience and grace will be missed, but remembered forever. A visitation will take place at McAdam’s Funeral Home on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 3pm. In person access to the service will be by reservation only, you can do so either via email at mcadams@mcadamsfh.com or by phone at (506)458-9170. In your RSVP, please include names, phone numbers, and the number of people in your group to ensure that social distancing is maintained. The service will be live streamed for those who cannot attend at the following link: https://vimeo.com/457855482 A private burial will take place at Hermitage Cemetery, overlooking the beautiful St. John River, and next to her beloved Fred.