Marjorie Frances Atkinson (nee Pridham)
The Atkinson family is sad to announce that Marjorie died
unexpectedly of a ruptured aortic aneurysm in Emergency at DECH on
Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 at the age of 88. Marjorie was the youngest child
of Frank T. Pridham and Isa B. (nee Whitehead) born on May 3,
1929.
Marjorie’s whole life was lived as a dedicated
member of Wilmot United Church: from her baptism, mission band, CGIT,
her marriage to fellow church member the late Ted (Edward Frank)
Atkinson, the baptisms and weddings of her children and some
grandchildren, through to Ted’s funeral. Her final role was
as matriarch, generous with both her ideas and funds. She served in
many volunteer roles and offered numerous solo and choral musical
contributions, especially « O Holy Night » on
Christmas Eve for decades. Marj benefited so much from Wilmot UC,
which is also a richer religious community for her lifelong
presence.
Marj was also a strong supporter of the YMCA in Fredericton
and beyond. She served in Executive roles for the Y, and was a devoted
Y’sMenette, having been a charter member of the Epsilon
Chapter. There she served frequently in leadership roles to the point
that she was recognized and invited to work at national and
international levels as well. The Y is a more vital institution in
Fredericton for her constant support.
Music was a core joy and vocation of her life; she was a born
singer who began to perform solos to family guests at age 3
½. Her father was her first teacher, but several others
followed, including Robin Bailey and Hilda Shorten. In the community
at large, Marj was well-known as a musical performer. She sang solos
and duets in the Epsilon Y’sMen Smokey Mokes shows in the
50s and 60s; NB Symphony fund-raisers Capital Capers; countless
weddings and funerals; and frequently as an entertainer at the Royal
Canadian Legion, singing World War II favorites. In fact, Fredericton
Branch 4 presented her with a 60th anniversary
medal. It was common for people to come up to Marj even in her last
years to say how grateful they were that she had sung at their
wedding. For so many of us, our lives are brighter for the joy
Marjorie’s music brought.
Further locally, the family enterprise Harvey Studio has been
a creative part of Fredericton’s commercial culture.
Marj’s father, Frank bought the business in 1917, and three
generations of Pridhams and Atkinsons worked there. Marj specifically
offered hand tinting on many professional photos from 1955-70.
Eventually, Ted became the President of the business and Marjorie
served as Assistant General Manager. Thousands of people have had
their baby, wedding, graduation and other portraits taken over the
decades by Harvey Studio.
Beyond simply working in photography, both Ted and Marj
served the profession at the national level; they were awarded Life
Membership in the Maritime Professional Photographers Association.
Their roles took them travelling regularly; indeed, Marj and Ted were
pretty much inseparable throughout their 50-year
marriage.
The pre-deceased members of Marj’s family include
her parents, two sisters, Pauline Athey and Doris Peters; her beloved
Ted; and nephew Jim Athey. Surviving her are sister Dorean Estey of
Pointe-Claire QC, brother, Harry Pridham of Truro NS; brother-in-law,
Bruce (Carolyn Crawford) Atkinson of Fredericton; sons, Paul (Jocelyn
Cassidy) of Waterloo ON, Stephen, of Burlington ON, and Andy (Cathy
Flemming) of Fredericton; grandchildren, Beth (Darcy) Manderson and
Meagan Atkinson; Julie (Garrett Seymour), Emily (Darren) Clark, and
David Atkinson. As well, Marjorie leaves 5 great-grandchildren: Grace
and Julia Manderson; Tymothy and Lake LeBlanc; and Abigail Clark;
close nephew, Robert Peters as well as many other nieces and nephews
also mourn her passing.
Sincere gratitude is offered to the Stocek family for their
loving support, Frances Pond for helping at home, her Wilmot friends
with whom she enjoyed weekly after church brunches as often as she
could, and Marj’s multitude of friends and supporters
throughout her life.
Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home,
160 York St., Fredericton from 4 to 8pm on Thursday, Feb 8. The
funeral service is at Wilmot United Church, 473 King Street,
Fredericton at 2:30, Feb 9. Memorial donations may be offered to
Wilmot United Church, 473 King Street, Fredericton, NB, E3B 1E5, or
YMCA of Fredericton, 570 York Street, Fredericton, NB, E3B
3R2.
www.mcadamsfh.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Marjorie Frances Atkinson nee Pridham 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
