Marjorie Mosienko (nee Donald)

Passed away May 6, 2025, peacefully at home.

Beloved wife to her late husband, Frank, for over 62 years. Loving mom of Heather (Glen), Holly, Dawn (Marc) and Lori (Shane). Adoring and supportive gramma of Erikka (Luc), Jordie (Nate), Alex (Miguel), Ryan (Kym), Brihana (Riley), Hannah (Rob), Jazmin (Michio), Natalee (Bennet), Gavin and Owen (Angie), and great-gramma to Rain, Luna, Mads, Ella, Kai, Auckland, Koa, Archer, Nola and Oliver. Loving sister to Dale, Pat, John, Bob and Dorothy and cherished aunt to many. Predeceased by her sister Barb.

Marj was born in Wilkie Saskatchewan on June 28th, 1937. As a very young child, she lived in the back of a one room school house, where her Mom was a teacher, along with her brother and sister. After her father passed away at a very young age, life changed when her Mom re-married and they moved to a farm. She became a big sister to 4 more siblings and often filled in as “mom” when needed. She preferred sports over academics, spending hours figure skating at the local rink and enjoying other sports like basketball. Her sister Barb described her as the life of the party! After high school she headed to University of Saskatchewan where she met the love of her life, Frank. They married about 9 months later and immediately headed to Ottawa.

A new adventure had begun! Dad’s surveying work took him to the field for months at a time. For the first couple of years, Mom joined him, living in a tiny trailer with Heather, and then Holly as well. Mom and Dad shared so many fond and hilarious stories from their time with survey crews. When Dad was away working, Mom managed kids and home with patience and humour. We all fondly remember having favourite stories read to us, even at the end of a busy day.

She enjoyed many friendships with neighbours, including a ladies bridge club. It always baffled her four daughters why they had to clean their rooms when it was her turn to host. We vividly remember rolling the tv to one of the bedrooms to keep us occupied and being given small shares of the treats being served (who really likes Bridge Mix anyway?). Later in life she enjoyed social functions with a group of “Red Hat” ladies. Mom delighted in both the outings and accessorizing in red and purple.

There was never a sewing challenge Mom didn’t accept, be it a Halloween costume, a wedding dress, or other specially requested articles of clothing. She generously donated her creative and sewing talents to several organizations and charities including Engineers’ Wives, the Cancer Society as well as swim and school clubs. Many all-nighters were pulled to complete ensembles on time. She also applied knitting, crocheting and upholstery skills with the same vigour. Mom’s creative skills were often called upon to liven up social events and she never failed to wow guests with her creative and detailed decorations, no matter what the event theme. Mom reminded us often that it was never too late to learn new skills. Later in life she discovered Mah Jong on her iPad and is remembered fondly sitting on her purple couch doing crosswords. Of special note is learning how to yodel with Holly by her side. This brought joy and lots of laughter to both!

Mom was always outfitted in beautiful clothes, carefully curated with coordinating jewellry; in fact she often acquired a piece of jewellry then created the ensemble around the jewellry.

Her “Happy Place” was her garden, the one place she abandoned fashion. She tended her plants, both indoor and outdoor with loving care and a magical touch, and they grew as though she had cast as a spell of enchantment.

Family road trips across Canada were always memorable with lunch stops and overnight camping along the way. Macaroni and hot dogs never tasted better than cooked by Mom and Dad over the camp stove. Mom loved seeing the different flowers blooming along her travels. Many blurry photos of bright blooms were taken through the car window when Dad wouldn’t stop to take a picture (bathroom stops also were rare). Occasionally, he would stop for her to dig up a local plant for her garden, which may or may not include trilliums (legal, illegal… who can really say?). Once they became Empty Nesters, Mom and Dad enjoyed many trips further abroad including a road trip to Mexico, and 2 trips to Australia. November always brings fond memories of Mom and Dad, enjoying a glass, or two … or three of Beaujolais Nouveau after a trip to Germany where they were introduced to this special vintage of wine.

Friends remember with fondness the warm welcome they felt when visiting our home. Especially popular with friends and family were well attended Christmas Eve open-houses. There was plenty of food, loads of laughter and quite often a signature cocktail. Mom and Dad made Christmas mornings equally special.

Mom unconditionally cherished and loved her grandchildren. She travelled from coast to coast and in between, as well as Germany, to support her 4 girls after each baby was born. Knowing that our babies were in Mom’s care, we could rest or take a shower or eat with 2 hands with ease.

Gramma was a Hallmark movie gramma, one all the books and movies write about, one you would dream about, unless you were lucky enough to have her for yourself, like we were. Her pure joy and laughter are at the core of every memory of her. We always had a safe, happy, warm & comforting place to call home at Gramma & Grampa’s. A true crime it would be to leave her home with even a hint of hunger, insisting on packing a lunch, a hug and a great big wave to send you on your merry way. We always left well fed and feeling loved.

In younger years, sleeping over at Gramma & Grampa’s meant being sung to sleep with the comfort of quiet conversation and tv in the background, followed by Gramma’s pancakes in the morning. There were always plenty of clothes for fashion show and an adoring audience at the ready. Those same fashion models later borrowed clothes shoes and jewellry from Gramma. Once the grandkids were a bit older, cousin sleepovers at Gramma & Grampa’s were legendary. Mattresses were lined up on the living room floor, Mad tv on after lights out. And in the morning… Gramma’s pancakes, loved by all! Gramma was always willing to jump in to help with driving to daycare, activities and jobs, no matter how far or how long she had to wait. We remember fondly many shared cups of tea, while snacking on thinly sliced cheddar, and Gramma’s mudpies and shortbread cookies.

If she left the house with that red digital camera you knew you were in trouble. A ten minute walk would turn into an hour or two, and a couple hundred pictures of flowers later.

She passed her creative soul on to all of us. Everything was handmade; quilts, stuffed toys, Halloween costumes, clothes, you name it, she could bring your idea to life. So many homemade gifts we have in our homes to this day, items we will continue to enjoy for generations to come. She taught herself how to knit left handed so that she could teach her 3 lefty grandkids how to knit. She taught us sewing skills and inspired us to be creative (as well as inspiring some of us to hoard fabric).

She wasn’t a fair weather Gramma and not one who showed up on occasion. She was there for it all, inside or outside, come sunshine or hail storm: soccer & baseball games, gymnastics competitions, dance recitals, fencing tournaments, swim meets, horse shows, rowing regattas, concerts and graduations, she (and Grampa) would always be there.

She was patient and clever and remarkable. She was always ready to join in the fun be it dancing, creating or sharing a joke. She showed her love in so many ways. Gramma was our #1 cheerleader!

To Dirk, Christine, Anna, and Jane we send heartfelt thanks! You gave Mom such dignified, kind, and loving care. We are so very appreciative. To Dr. John we extend our gratitude for caring for Mom and Dad for so many years. Many thanks also to Kelly, Tanya, Kate, Ian and Suli who provided kind support and care for Mom.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in Marj’s memory to a charity supporting Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Cancer, or Crohn’s/Colitis.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 10th, 2025 from 1:00-4:00pm at Lavender Ridge Farm, 2584 Upper Dwyer Hill Road, Ottawa, ON. All are welcome.