Marjorie Bear Bradley
May 23, 1925 - December 14, 2012
Tribute
Passed away December 14, 2012, holding hands with Tom, her teenage sweetheart and her treasured husband for 67 years, something they have done from the day they first met in 1941. In her passing she also leaves her loving sons Bill, his wife Marguerite and grandchildren Matthew, Catherine and Jessica; and Norm and his wife Sherry and grandchildren Ashley and Courtney. Predeceased by parents William and Mabel and her sister Dorothy. Bear was a wonderfully warm and caring person to all who were welcomed by her contagious smile and friendly personality. Her happiest days were those spent with anything and everything to do with her grandchildren- these were the best days for Mother “Bear”. Born in Courtenay, BC, Marge’s early years were spent in the Vancouver Island towns of Port Alberni and Port Mellon where her dad was employed building sawmills. In the one room schoolhouses she attended Marge was called upon to teach the younger ones, a trait she passed on to her two boys. Her swimming abilities were amazing, developed in earnest from regular tosses off the log booms by the boys. When her family moved to Vancouver she honed her competitive tennis skills daily at Grandview Park. Marge attended Templeton High School and when she graduated from Britannia in East Vancouver, her mother enrolled her in a stenographer course at Sprott Shaw College and her career was off and running. She was a secretary to the sales manager of the Canadian Fish company and later a credit advisor and customer service associate for Timothy Eaton’s until she retired. Marge met Tom through her girlfriend while working at the Five & Dime Store in East Vancouver and one ice cream cone later they became lifelong partners. When Tom joined the Navy during the second World War, Marge had the distinction of being the only sailor’s girl who wrote a letter to Tom every single day for three years. Bear’s real work was her selfless service to everyone and everything. Whether it was being President of the Babe Ruth Baseball League, boy scout convenor, Sunday school teacher, baseball scorekeeper, typist for BC High School Boys Basketball Association or refreshment convenor for the Alzheimers’ Society for 10 years, she always put others ahead of herself. An avid football fan, Bear was a founding member of the BC Lionsbackers Club. She was also an original season ticket holder to the Seattle Seahawks, travelling with Tom to Seattle on Sunday mornings for the famous tailgate parties, which they brought back to BC and the Lions on game days. When Marge and Tom retired and moved from their East Vancouver home to Abbotsford, she quickly became the Abbotsford Panthers best fan and later chief supporter to the travelling Kelowna Owls. The players fondly remember her cooking and fun loving nature. We will miss you Bear but your strength and positive spirit will be forever with us! A private, family remembrance will be held at a later date. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Worthington Pavilion whose professionalism was displayed in the diagnoses, treatment and loving care that Marjorie received during the year. In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of one’s choice would be appreciated.
Condolences
Send a condolence, light a candle and/or share a memory, click "Send Condolence". Once your message has been approved by the moderator it will be posted to the website.
From: Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home Staff
Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home Staff send our condolences to family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
From: Don McIntyre
Relation: Friend
My sincere condolences on the recent loss of you wife and mother. I fondly remember Marj as a wonderful wife of quiet loving fireman, and mother of two of my former students, one who sped through university to become a teacher and the other who excelled in that profession and was an outstanding basketball player. Everyone will remember Marj’s enthusiasm and smile even if they supported the opposition.
My regards, Don McIntyre from Windermere Secondary
From: Dorothy Fowler Flynn
Relation: friend
To Tom, Bill, Norm and families my sincere condolences. I recall fondly the rendezvous at the east side home, meeting up with Norm and Bill on the way to Cypress, the Abbey basketball get togethers and always in the same seats at the provincials! Not a more dedicated cheerleader anywhere than Bear, she was special. My love to all of you. xo Dorothy
From: Lisa Nickle
Relation: friend
To Norm, Tom and family:
My love and thoughts to you. Bear opened her heart and home to my girls basketball teams. She offered loving advice, warm beds, and, of course, great food ! She will be missed. I only hope I can be close to the wonderful mother and friend she was. Lisa and family.
From: Bruce and Loreen Seney
Relation: long time acquaintances
Dear Tom, Bill, Marguerite, Matthew, Catherine, Jessica, Norm, Sherry, Ashley and Courtney:
We were so saddened to hear of Bear’s passing. Marj was a warm-hearted, caring, honest, supportive, hard-working, wonderful woman who was a fantastic wife and mother and grandmother and also, at all times, a credit to her community. We have so many fond memories of her and the Bradley family – in their home, on the baseball diamond, at the football games, on the golf course, and at all the basketball tournaments.
Thinking of all of you at this difficult time.
Regards, Bruce and Loreen Seney
From: Trudie McLellan
Relation: Former Eaton's Co Worker
When I was a student at UBC your Mom was like our Mom at Eaton’s Accounts office down in the old Eaton’s building on Hastings. We would spend time talking about our love for sports and the Lions. Later on when I was teaching at Killarney and supporting my cheerleaders at the basketball games, it was great to catch up with Marj. She was a special lady. My thoughts are with your family at this time.
From: Russ & Brenda Hall
Relation: Friends
To each and every one of the Bradley clan, we send our deepest condolences on the loss of the Bear. She was truly one in a million who always had the ability to make those around her feel better just by her presence. She will be fondly remembered as the super fan who was good for at least 10 points when she was seated in her special place at the Abby Pit.
From: Lorraine Olsen
Relation: Neighbour
Bill, Norm, and family, I would like to extend my sincere sympathy.
May the wonderful memories of your mother and grandmother comfort you during this difficult time.
From: Jean Kuwabara
Relation: Neighbour
We remember Marge fondly as our friendly, kind next door neighbour on East 23rd Avenue. There were many over-the-fence conversations with lots of laughter and exchange of family news. Our sincerest sympathy to the family at this time, Rae, Shig, Jean, Irene & Paul
From: Jeannette Isherwood
Relation: Care-aide at Worthington
I know this late in coming. Tom and Bear’s family have been in my thoughts lately. I remember writing this website down to send condolences. So that is what I am doing. I miss Bear but know she is at peace now. I also miss Tom and his gentleness and commitment with his Bear. It was a pleasure and honour to care for her. With my deepest sympathy to the Bradley family.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Floral Tributes may be ordered directly through our supplier for delivery throughout the entire lower mainland, from Hope to Vancouver:
Wiebe & Jeske Funeral Home
202-31314 Peardonville Rd.
Abbotsford BC
V2T 6K8
info@wiebeandjeskefh.com
604-859-5885
When ordering please have the name of the deceased, the date of the funeral service and the address/phone number of the delivery location for handy reference.
Donate In Memory
Send Condolence - For Marjorie Bradley
Use the form below to send a Condolence, light a memorial candle and/or share a personal memory.
