Marjorie Phyllis King

When I read that we need salt and water to live, I thought,
how poetic of God to put them both in our tears.

After an afternoon of visits and phone calls with those she cared most for, late on August 23, 2024, Marjorie Phyllis King left sickness behind and passed from this life to the next with her beloved niece at her side.

Marjorie was born in Somerset, NS on July 3, 1949, the daughter of the late William and Reta Murley. She grew up in Somerset, alongside her older sister, Elaine, attending the elementary school, before heading to Central Kings for junior and senior high. During those years, Marjorie could almost always be found in the Murley hammock reading and daydreaming, listening to music while swinging in the breeze between the old oak trees on Somerset Corner. For anyone who lived nearby, they knew the smell of Mrs. Nichol’s freshly baked old-fashioned sugared donuts, which when warmed just right, and spread with homemade strawberry jam, was Marjorie’s favorite breakfast treat.

In the late 1960s, Marjorie went to Acadia University and graduated with her Bachelor of Education Degree. She had been told by a teacher years before that she would never pass her sciences to get into Acadia and finish a degree, but Marjorie always took delight in knowing she proved to them and herself just what she could do and took that memory into her own teaching career.

Marjorie would head to Newfoundland to start her teaching career, although her heart was often in Nova Scotia. She worked at Herdman Collegiate, where she taught for twelve years before a man by the name of James shifted her attention. They were married in 1983, and Jim said he would take her on a cruise down south. To Jim’s amusement (and Marjorie’s disappointment) she soon learned he meant the island of Ramea, NL and not the Bahamas. They thoroughly enjoyed teaching together on the island of Ramea for twenty-three years before retiring. Marjorie had many friends, and a real knack for staying in touch with them. She was genuinely interested in people and their lives and hearing from former students made her so happy. She had compassion and drive to see students succeed and see for themselves what they could achieve with a little work. Even in the final days of her life, she shared the adventures of past students and how proud she was of them.

Marjorie was involved in every community that she and Jim lived in. They got great joy from supporting local sport activities and community events. She also helped others get their grade twelve equivalency certificate, knowing education was a spring-board to success. In 2009, Marjorie and Jim moved to Nova Scotia to enjoy retirement, and found themselves volunteering with the three Valley Wildcats teams, whether it was selling tickets or tutoring students on the side, or just watching a spirited game. Both Marjorie and Jim took great joy in volunteering in the breakfast program at Central Kings and getting to know the high school children each morning, though Marjorie would tell you those early mornings (which she was less fond of) made her question if she really wanted the job.

Though she didn’t do as much traveling as she might have liked, it was something that brought Marjorie a lot of joy, especially a good road trip with the tunes playing, a promise of a good meal at some point and a place to shop that had different and unique gifts to give to those she cared for. Marjorie rarely met a pair of shoes or handbag that she didn’t like and took delight in teaching the same love to her niece.

Marjorie was always so thrilled that she and Jim found one another and shared a wonderful life together. Moments where they were able to talk were the most valuable to her and most missed in recent years. Marjorie and Jim enjoyed many concerts and plays over the years. They also shared a love of books, music, and art, and were collectors of all three.

Marjorie could be known to brag about her four grandchildren that she didn’t see regularly, but the frequent, lovely, candid emailed photos from Newfoundland were cherished. She also got great enjoyment from watching her great-nieces grow into teen years, as they lived so close. No doubt remembering younger years spoiling her sister Elaine’s children, Marjorie showered great love and great gifts to the grand nieces. She always considered herself so fortunate to have Elaine as a good friend and moved to Camro Place in recent years, making her within walking distance of her Elaine and friends.

A great joy of Marjorie’s was to take a drive at Apple Blossom time to admire the beauty of the Annapolis Valley in full bloom. Equally as beautiful and as important to Marjorie was the Christmas season. She took every chance she had to enjoy the beautiful colors, smells and twinkling lights. She also spent many days at the lake enjoying her family time overlooking the water and a delicious barbeque at the hands of her nephew, Dave.

Marjorie was predeceased by her husband, Jim and is survived by her sister, Elaine (Ken) Roscoe; stepdaughter, Adrienne (Jon) as well as four beloved grandchildren, Payden, Douglas, Julian and Tessa; sister-in-law, Barb (Brad); nieces and nephews, Susan (Marven), Heather (Dave), Kevin (Crystal) and Taylor; treasured friends and extended family.

The family would like to send a genuine thank you to Dr. Crystal Todd and the excellent staff at Valley Regional Hospital who worked tirelessly to tend to Marjorie with sincere care.

Come and help us celebrate Marjorie’s life. On Monday, September 9, 2024 all are welcome to attend the celebration of life at White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, NS. Doors will open at 2 p.m., with a short service and a reception to follow with food and refreshments and an opportunity to share stories with one another. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.