Marjory Joyce MacKenzie's Obituary
Marjory Joyce (Swartz) MacKenzie, age 76, of Ferrysburg died unexpectedly Monday, November 7, 2011, while visiting her son and his family in Sarasota, FL. Born May 3, 1935 to Harold and Marguerite (Van Arkel) Swartz in Holland, Michigan, Marjory grew up in Grand Haven and was graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1953. She lived a vibrant and active life and will be sorely missed by her family and her many friends.
Marjory received her R.N. degree from the Hackley School of Nursing in 1956 and later a Bachelors of Science in nursing with honors and distinction from Wayne State University in 1959. She married Donald Clyde (“Mac”) MacKenzie, a general surgeon originally from Guelph, Ontario, on September 4, 1959 in Detroit. From there, they moved to Grosse Pointe Woods and then to Ferrysburg in 1968. They were inseparable. After 41 years together, Mac preceded her in death on October 4, 2000. They raised two sons and three daughters.
A tireless worker, Marjory began her nursing career as an instructor at Lafayette Clinic. She later worked as a psychiatric nurse before devoting herself to raising her family. She eventually resumed her career as a nurse at several group homes for the mentally impaired and later joined Mac in his medical practice in Grand Haven.
Deeply involved in the community and her church, Marjory had many diverse interests. An active member of Spring Lake Presbyterian Church for more than 40 years, she served as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher, as well as participating in and leading various Presbyterian Women’s groups. She volunteered at the Spring Lake Public Library, remained a member of the Hackley Nurse’s Association, and offered her talents to many other organizations. She enjoyed history and travel. She visited Europe multiple times and met her relatives in the Netherlands with her mother and sisters. She enjoyed educational tours with Elderhostel in the United States and visited additional locales such as Thailand, South Africa and countries in Central America. A voracious reader, she passed her love of reading on to her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, walking, and was an avid sports fan, especially of the Tigers and Red Wings. A talented artist, Marjory spent many hours teaching her grandchildren techniques for drawing and painting.
Marj, as most of us knew her, greatly valued her relationships with family, friends, and her many dear neighbors. She spent a great deal of time with her grandchildren and children, and always opened her home and kitchen for vacations and holidays. She was a caregiver and looked after her children, relatives, friends and neighbors often employing her nursing skills in their care. Perhaps Marj’s greatest gift, though, was her capacity to open her heart to others, to understand them, and to offer her compassion to each person she met.
Marjory is survived by her daughter Janet Hendon (Jeff) and granddaughters Audrey and Claire Hendon of Lansing; son David MacKenzie, Nunica; daughter Linda Holmstrand (Jeff) and granddaughters Dana, Lydia and Allison of Wheeling, WV; Steven MacKenzie (Enas) and granddaughter Leila, and grandson Alexander of Sarasota, FL; daughter Nancy Kugler (Kurt) and granddaughter Erika, and grandson Jacob, of Spring Lake; twin sister Marilyn Manting of Grand Haven, and younger sister Sally Anderson of Melbourne, FL; many nieces and nephews; and countless dear friends. She will be sadly missed by all of them.
Please join family and friends in a celebration of Marjory’s life on earth and new life in Heaven, Sunday November 20 at Spring Lake Presbyterian Church. Visitation is from 2:00PM to 4:00 PM, Service at 4:00 PM, followed by a Celebratory Reception in Marjory’s honor.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donation to some of Marj’s favorite charities and organizations: Muskegon Rescue Mission, Spring Lake Presbyterian Women’s Association, Salvation Army of Grand Haven, Every Woman’s Place, and Friends of the Spring Lake District Library. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.vbkfuneralhome.com
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Spring Lake.
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