Dear Family of Marjery,
Greetings from Angus, Ontario. We have only today (Dec. 11th) learned of dear Marjery's promotion to glory. We were in Thailand through October, otherwise we definitely would have been at the funeral service at Fair Havens Community Church.
We, with our three kids (all born and raised in Thailand) had the pleasure of staying with your folks in their home on the Trent Canal two or three times.
On our last visit with Marjery (in teh home on the canal) she amused us by saying (basically), '"I'm tired of people giving me books about Eric Liddell!" :-)
We loved Marjery's cheeriness and 'spunk'!! Your description.....frugal with self, but generous towards others. Very true! :-)
We thank God for letting us meet up with your Dad and Mom back in 2003. May you all move forward in life with hearts that love and desire to serve the Lord.
Blessings & Prayers,
Brian and Linda Crawford (OMF Thailand 1987 - 2022. OMF Canada as Directors for Personnel & Member Care 2022 - present)
This is written by Jacqui and Nick, nana’s two youngest grandkids. We will be sharing a brief glimpse into the grandmother we knew and the mother our dad, her oldest son, and his wife Bev knew.
As a kid, nana was out hero. Her generosity and ability to connect with others was something we noticed at a young age. We’ve always been in awe at how deeply nana has touched the lives of those around her, and always supported us all in every endeavour we undertook. Nana always valued education and encouraged us to forever learn. She showed this through her generosity in setting up the Dr. G. Dickson Vinden Scholarship Fund, and by always supporting us as we went through university and into graduate studies.
Nana was also adventurous and fun (perhaps more adventurous during her earlier years, trekking around the globe after her husband Dickson, and raising a family in Uganda). Growing up, we were fortunate enough to regularly visit nana and papa and got to spend a week every summer with just them. We always looked forward to spending time with them since we knew the days would be filled with something interesting and fun. We visited the Cannington farm, but spent many hours at nana’s house in Bolsover swimming in the channel, playing games – croquet, rummicube, ping-pong – or listening to the endless stories nana shared with us about her and papa’s experiences. She was a wonderful grandma to have and as shown by the slideshow seen today, intensely loyal to those family and friends she loved so dearly.
Nana, along with papa, developed in us a wonder of the world and instilled in us all a desire to truly experience it – from trips to England, enjoying the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the expanses of the USA, and even an upcoming opportunity to revisit Africa.
She said on many occasions how fortunate to have lived an exceptionally interesting and rewarding life. She also had hundreds of friends from every phase of her life – keeping in regular contact with them by phone, letter and “Christmas newsletter”.
Nana fostered a loving and caring environment for all of those in her live and we are so grateful to have experienced a portion of that as her children and grand children.
Mrs Vinden was a great encouragement to so many people throughout our lives. From early years her sparkling personality and enthusiasm were contagious. She had a way of making everyone feel specially loved...like you were her favourite person in the world. Her love for Jesus, and devotion to the Bible and prayer were evident in every aspect of her life.
This world is a poorer place for her passing, and yet our lives are the richer for having known her. May God sustain you as you mourn your mom, grandma and great grandma; and may He fill you with joyful anticipation as you await your reunion in heaven.
Don and Wendy Hiscox
Q: What will you never forget about Margery?
A: I was 8 yrs old when I first met the family and Margery. Its been consistent these decades and decades that I will miss her greeting...Hello Love, how are you? Ah, so good to see you! She was ALWAYS joyful and exuded the love of Jesus. She loved the colour blue... its a happy blue and my favourite colour as well. At a young age, I wanted to have a blue and white kitchen just like Marg! Sapphires in scripture convey God's presence...where she is now! How wonderful to know where she is and we will be reunited with our loved ones and Yeshua for eternity.
Margery Joan Vinden
Irvine Rumney and I came to Cannington, Ontario in June, 1969 to continue the existence of the Bon Air Nursing Home. We met Dr. Dick Vinden in the process of his caring for some of the residents in partnership with Dr. Ivan Nancekieville. It was not long before we were invited to the 3 Nancekvieville Aunts to a "getting to know You" party. We officially met both Doctors and their wives. Dick and Margery became our friends after the introduction, and we all spent Xmas Eve with the family. Margery was a great Hostess, preparing all of the Xmas goodies which, of course, were all eaten. This was a great way to start the season. She was very active at Fair Havens and because of her, my friend's children went to camp there, to be exact 5 sets of them.
Margery passed through life on an even keel. She never critisied anyone and accepted anyone who came her way.
She knew her limitations and sometimes, shy or awkwardness caused her to forgo some requests or undertakings much to her dilemma.
This my tribute to her to say "Farewell to a long standing friend" and to wish her a beginning with her Saviour. God Speed!
Avril M. Rumney
We are so thankful to have known Margery. With her twinkling blue eyes (and matching clothes!) she always greeted us with warmth and a keenness to find out what was happening in our lives. Her faith in God was so evident through her thoughtful words, her actions, hospitality, encouragement and her prayers for us.
We look back with fondness at the many Easters, Thanksgivings and Christmases spent with her and Dick, Rachel, Stephen, Luke and Victoria during our time in Canada, and how you all made us feel like family. A gathering more often than not included a board game or a crazy concocted one to entertain the kids which she loved! and always participated full heartedly!
Thank you for touching our lives Margery.
Kirstin, Don, Chris, Phil & Cameron xx
It was truly an honour to share my days with Margery. From September 2018 until the summer of 2021 we were weekly partners for shopping, visiting the dentist or doctor and during COVID we became each other’s “one only”. She enjoyed any opportunity for a visit, and again during COVID we would drive to a friend’s home and honk the horn so they could come outside (sometimes a winter coat was necessary) for a few words-at a safe distance. Adept with the computer-candy crush was a favourite- Margery adapted to on-line church and bible study groups. I loved her.
We have many memories of visits with Mrs. Vinden, but one is especially precious. Brian and I shared a “porch visit” with her during the winter of Covid. The snow on the lawn was a perfect canvas for a giant M we tramped into the snow so she could see it from the living room window. She laughed and laughed. My sister brought her to visit our campsite once - which she enjoyed so much, and brought her to our home for afternoon refreshments, too. But the M in the snow seemed to bring her so much joy. And to us as well!
Margery Vinden was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege to know her. To me, she was not just a dear friend but someone I lovingly called “Mum.” She had a heart that embraced people with warmth and love, something I experienced firsthand when she so generously welcomed my own mother visiting from South Africa. Margery had an extraordinary spirit of giving, one that spanned across continents. Her generosity lives on in the 200 copies of the ESV Study Bible she donated, now sitting on the study desks of 200 pastors in Zambia, enriching their ministries and lives.
Her support extended beyond borders and into the hearts of many through her contributions to the Amped 2 Go International Leadership Exchange, a ministry that she fervently backed. It was her way of ensuring that the light she carried within her would continue to inspire leaders globally.
What I will miss most are our many phone calls—filled with her infectious laughter, intriguing stories, and the joy she always brought to the conversation. Margery’s life was a tapestry of success, woven with energy, grace, and an enthusiasm that was truly contagious. Her impact on those around her was profound, and she will be missed far beyond words.
Margery’s legacy will continue to inspire us all, and though she may be gone from our sight, her spirit of kindness, fun, and generosity will never fade. We carry her memory in our hearts, forever grateful for the gift of knowing such a remarkable woman. Rest in peace, dear Margery. You will be so greatly missed.
Margery Vinden’s departure from this world is not the end of her story. In her passing, she was welcomed by the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before her, rejoicing as she entered into the presence of our Lord. Her journey has now led her to the place she lived her life for—at the feet of Jesus, in His victorious, loving, and eternal presence.
One day, we too will be reunited with her in that glorious place, where there will be no more tears, no more goodbyes—only joy and celebration in the presence of our Savior. Until that day, we hold onto the blessed hope of being together again, where we will worship our Lord alongside Margery for all eternity.
The family of Margery Joan Vinden uploaded a photo
