Although Chilliwack was home for most of her life, Marjorie Trott considered herself a prairie person. Born in Brandon, Manitoba on January 7, 1930, she was raised in Douglas Manitoba, first on the farm and then "in town" after the death of her beloved father, John Muirhead in 1939. Growing up, Marjorie was surrounded by strong women - her grandmothers, mother, aunts and cousins - and it was their resilience, strength, and support she carried throughout her life. She was very grateful she had the chance to pursue university education, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts from Brandon College in 1950 and a Bachelor of Social Work as the Gold Medalist in 1953 from the University of Manitoba.
After working with Children's Aid in Portage la Prairie, Marjorie became a child protection social worker in Chilliwack, fulfilling a long-held desire to move west. There, she met Richard (Dick) Trott. They married in 1957 and raised three daughters: Nancy (Ian), Jane (Duncan), and Lorraine (Kevin). They lived on Angus Drive for more than 50 years and appreciated their many good friends and kind neighbours.
Marjorie loved her family and her work. In 1968, she became the Director of Chilliwack Community Chest's Homemakers' Service, which provided experienced caregivers and household support to families whose lives were affected by illness or other emergency. Marjorie loved this work and, in 1971, she oversaw the development of the Community Chest's Home-Aides program as well. Later that same year, she became Chilliwack General Hospital's first medical social worker, building the social work department and, in 1979, she was appointed the program director for extended care, intermediate care, and an adult daycare program. Through those years, Marjorie developed many cherished relationships with other engaged, forward-thinking women in the community, and they were all a great source of support to each other. She was named Chilliwack's Woman of the Year in 1978.
Marjorie loved to read and, after retirement in 1990, she read as many as six or seven books a week, noting each one in a tabbed, three-ring binder. Marjorie and Dick were fortunate to share a long, happy marriage, good health and a love of travel. They were very engaged grandparents and active caregivers for Lindsay, Heather, Daniel, Kate, James, Jessica, and Lauren. Marjorie was so proud of her daughters and grandchildren, and she and Dick supported them enthusiastically and unconditionally.
Marjorie passed away after a short period of declining health, at home in Vancouver on a beautiful sunny afternoon, surrounded by family, with Dick holding her hand.
Marjorie was also predeceased by mother Jean Muirhead (1989) and sister Dorothy Fairs (2001).
A service will be held on Saturday, September 7th at 2 pm at the Chilliwack United Church located at 45835 Spadina Ave. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marjorie's name to Covenant House, covenanthousebc.org
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