It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely death of Marjorie Anne Heinrichs of Rosenort, Manitoba. Marj passed away tragically November 9, 2010 at the age of 54.
Born March 2, 1956 in Morris, Manitoba to Sydney and Helen Reimer, Marj was the second eldest of six siblings, Daryl, Dan (Leslie), Kim (Cal), Peter and James (Christine).
She was raised in Rosenort in a house by the river. From an early age, Marj was a gifted story teller, never telling a boring story, always making them slightly more interesting by emphasizing the facts .
In 1974, Marj graduated from Rosenort Collegiate. She excelled as a student and competed for excellence. There she met her high school sweetheart Jim Heinrichs. Marj always said she married Jim because he was the cutest boy in school. How else would you choose a husband?
Marj and Jim always wanted a big family and soon Tom, Jennifer, Katie, Sara and Billy, along with foster children, Cody, Callie and many others enriched their lives. Marj was an uber-mom to her kids and all others, including her children’s partners, Jesse, Jay, Anthony and Meagan and beautiful grandchildren, Alex, Sativa and Isabella. Marj was predeceased by her son Tom in 1994.
She began her career and love of writing by taking over her grandfather’s weekly column in the Scratching River Post. Journalist, photographer, author and recorder of aboriginal history, Marj had a deep connection to Roseau River First Nation and other communities in Northern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. She nurtured her business Rosetta Projects, worked for Golden West Radio and sat on various boards including a women’s shelter and regional health authorities.
Marj loved to travel, garden, bake, cook, host; she loved going for walks, CBC, red wine, books, journaling and shopping till she dropped. She discovered and nurtured what was sacred in this world through a tender heart. Her soul was nurtured by that which was holy in children, in those who suffered, through the wonder and beauty of creation, inside the Christian stories she inherited and the Aboriginal journey which invited her in.
Marj will be deeply missed by her husband Jim, their family and their many friends. This grief is like a sad, little river, running through my soul.
Viewing service was held on November 12, 7:00 p.m. at Rosenort Fellowship Chapel. Funeral service will be held Saturday, November 13, 2:00 p.m. at the Rosenort E. M. Church in Rosenort. Donations in Marj’s memory may be made to Genesis House Woman’s Shelter.
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“Aunty” Marj was a great cousin. She evidently was a Kehler: fun, charismatic, caring, generous, and hilarious. I have many fond memories of her taking care of us five Efthymiadis kids together with her own five. Her job was to make us happy and well-fed: she succeeded at both! Her laugh was infectious; her generosity unparalleled. We miss her a lot, the wonder-woman who would have become the Matriarch of the Rosenort clan. Love in Christ, Peter.