REVEREND MARJORIE ALICE KENNON of Coaldale, AB., passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at the age of 90 years.
She is survived by three sisters; Francis Tanner of Calgary AB., Nora (Ken) Gee of Lethbridge, AB., and Shirley (James) Beach of Lethbridge, AB. and two sisters-in-law; Peggy Kennon of Lethbridge, AB. and Marg Kennon of Burnaby, B.C., and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her extended church family.
She was predeceased by her brothers Sam Kennon, Gordon Kennon, an infant sibling, and parents William and Alice Kennon.
Marjorie was one of the first women to be ordained a deacon and one of the first female priests. In the Diocese of Calgary she was the first woman inducted into a parish.
Since Marjorie’s call from God at about age 20 she worked first as a teacher in rural Alberta and later in Calgary. Marjorie took a Scholar in Theology Degree (STh) from Trinity College, University of Toronto. In 1955 she taught school in Cormorant, MB., then later on the Moose Lake Reserve near The Pas, MB. In 1958 she left teaching for a full-time parish ministry in Swan River Valley, MB. In 1977 she was ordained a priest with three other women, then in 1985, at the Church of the Ascension, Coaldale, she was the first woman priest to work in the Calgary Diocese. In 1991 Marjorie Kennon was made an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary, AB. She retired from parish work in 1995, but continued to serve the Lord and her parish by visiting the sick and being a spiritual advisor right up until her passing.
A Funeral Service will be held at the ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ASCENSION, 2113 - 17th Street, Coaldale, AB., on Friday, November 27, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. with Right Reverend Derek Hoskin presiding and assisted by Reverend Michael Ebsworth and Reverend Erin Phillips. Interment to follow in the Coaldale Cemetery.
In memory of Marjorie donations may be made to Primates World Relief & Development, 600 Jarvis St., Toronto, ON. M4Y 2J6, or to World Vision Canada, 1 World Dr. Mississauga, ON L5T 2Y4.
