With grateful hearts, tinged with sadness, we say farewell to Marjorie Isabel Carlson (Ludlow) who passed away in Calgary on December 23, 2022, at the age of 91 years.

"Marj" or "Mitz" as she was affectionately known by many, was born into a large family, including 4 sisters and 2 brothers in Mt. Vernon, Ontario on May 23, 1931. Her parents were George and Hazel Ludlow. Marj received a degree as a Registered Nurse (RN) from Brantford General Hospital in 1952 and used her nursing background, caring nature, cheerful spirit, and legendary sense of humour to uplift and support many patients and colleagues over the years. These same beautiful characteristics blessed an entirely new group of people when she met and married Gustave Edward Carlson in 1967 and became an integral and much-loved wife, stepmother, and grandma to a large, ready-made, family. She fit like a glove, immediately connecting with her 4 stepchildren: Edward, Connie, Ron, Harold, their spouses, and the many grandchildren who grew quickly to love her kind nature, creativity and adventurous spirit…and she loved them back…wholeheartedly.

She is pre-deceased by her husband, Gus (1999), 3 of her stepchildren and their spouses: Connie and Sulo, Ron and June, Harold and Blossom, as well as Doreen, in addition to being pre-deceased by a grandchild and great-grand-children. She is survived only by her step-son, Edward, together with many grand-children, great grand-children and even some great-great grand-children…a beautiful legacy.

Marj, over the years blessed many and had many family members, friends and colleagues who adored her. She wrote that she wanted to "go quickly into God's presence" when her time came. However, in her own words, she also said

"God may have other plans for me—of long-term suffering or debilitating illness. I pray I can handle that with dignity – accepting pain graciously. Should it happen I become confused, cranky and impossible – due to dementia etc., know that my real desire would be to be grateful and co-operative. PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME!"

She clearly not only knew how to be a wonderful nurse, but also how to be a wonderful patient and the words "cranky and impossible" are ones that have never applied to Marj who lived and died, a faithful and beautiful example of a woman of God. She will be missed, of course, but her family is grateful that she is at a new address in her heavenly home and is waiting and hoping to see all of us there.

In the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 49:5…

"God will redeem my life from the grave. He will surely take me to Himself."

Memorial donations may be made to your charity of choice.