On April 14 Marion Mackay died after a brief but courageous fight with cancer. She was in the company of Bob, her adoring husband of 56 years, her children and their spouses, and her grandchildren. It was a very special and sweet irony that she passed on the birthday of her firstborn child.

Marion was one of 12 children, born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland where she met and married the love of her life and together they raised four children. Marion and her husband bravely moved their family to the Vineyard in 1974 and have since called the Island home. In that time they built their own home and immersed themselves in the community.

Marion has been affectionately referred to as the voice of Martha’s Vineyard National Bank, where for many years she answered all incoming calls with her soft and respectful Scottish accent. She is a past member of The Eastern Star, a long-standing and proud member of the Portuguese-American Club and a founding director of the Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard.

Marion and her husband enjoyed a wonderful social life. They attended dances at many Island venues and were part of the only Island Square Dancing Troupe when it was en vogue in the 1980s.

She was incredibly proud of her Scottish heritage, but even more proud of her children and grandchildren.

Among her many joys were gardening, reading, knitting, beating everyone at Scrabble and being a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. Some of those joys she shared with others by way of her volunteer work. She gave her time for many years at Windemere as a leader, instructor and member of the Windemere Woolies, a resident knitting ensemble that brought a smile to all that participated. She would also spend time reading and just chatting, one on one, with those to whom knitting had no appeal. She often claimed that this brought more happiness to her than it did to the residents of Windemere. She also volunteered at the Vineyard Haven Library, where she received great satisfaction as well as the opportunity to scan the shelves for books she had not already enjoyed.

In saying goodbye Marion leaves behind her husband Bob, daughter Marion Ellis, her husband Mark and their children Max and Leah, daughter Fiona Townes, her husband Richard and their children Shawn, Nick, his wife Kathryn, and Kylie, daughter Lesley Williamson, her husband Greg and their children Andrew and Ellie, son Robert, his partner Julie Williamson and daughters Caroline and Maggie, a brother Norman and his wife Joan, in Australia, many nieces and nephews and a host of wonderful friends.

After a private family service there will be a ceremony to celebrate Marion’s life to be held at Farm Neck on Saturday, May 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.. In lieu of flowers the family desires that contributions be made to two amazing organizations that have impacted Marion and her family: Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, PO Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 and The Holy Ghost Association (P.A. Club) Benevolent Fund, PO Box 2203, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.