Marjorie E. Sweeney

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With sadness in our hearts, we share the passing of our beloved Mom and Grandmother. Marjorie Emma (McGregor) Sweeney, age 96, of Manvel, ND, passed onto Eternal Life on 12/26/21.

Marjorie was born July 29, 1925, in Bancroft, SD and was the daughter of James and Grace (Burns) McGregor. She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, LaMoure, ND. Marjorie was married to Ralph O. Barton on July 22, 1946 and was blessed with 6 children from that union.

On June 5^th, 1965, Marjorie was married to Gerald R. Sweeney at St. Michael’s Church in Grand Forks, ND, where her 6 children participated in the wedding mass. It was at the same church she and Gerald celebrated their anniversary and renewed their marriage vows 40 years later. Marjorie and Gerald shared their love for God, family, Irish heritage, and devotion to their Catholic up-bringing. They enjoyed attending daily mass and praying the rosary together, dedicating their prayers to their family and loved ones. They were married 47 wonderful years before Gerald passed away in 2012.

Marjorie was a charter member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND and taught religious classes for numerous years.  When Marjorie and Gerald moved to Manvel, ND in 1973, she became an active member of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church for more than 40 years; serving on the Pro-Life committee, as a Eucharistic Minister, and was the first female lector of St. Timothy’s Church.

Marjorie attended a one-room school house in rural LaMoure, ND, and later attended the LaMoure Public School, where she graduated from high school with honors. Nearly 40 years later, she fulfilled her long lasting desire to resume her formal education by attending classes at the University of North Dakota. She excelled in Humanities and Sociology classes. When Gerald was alive, they enjoyed traveling the United States to visit relatives. They also wintered in Yuma AZ, for many years, enjoying the companionship of friends and family visitors. They enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s school events and church milestones throughout the years. Whenever possible, they were at the hospital when a new grandchild or great-grandchild was welcomed into the family. Marjorie loved being a stay at home wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a wonderful cook and raised her large family with evening meals around the kitchen table. She was very creative and artistic; with hobbies including reading, writing poetry, photography, interior decorating, gardening both vegetables and beautiful flowers, to which she earned awards at various flower shows. Marjorie loved to dance when she heard music that moved her soul and feet. She was a seamstress for her family and later in her 50’s learned that she also had a natural talent for oil painting.

Marjorie had a humble childhood and lived through the depression, Dust Bowl, WWII, Polio epidemic, Covid pandemic and numerous life challenges; to which she developed a spirited attitude and the survival instinct to endure numerous health issues later in life.  At age 93, she left her townhouse and independent living to live with her daughter in Manvel, ND. She continued attending weekly mass, keeping up on current events, reading the daily paper and never missing the local and world news. Even in her 90’s, she was baking pies, canning tomatoes, attending grandchildren events, and traveling to see family members whenever possible.

Loving family members surviving Marjorie include her 6 children: Bruce (Vicki) Barton of Moorhead, MN; James (Patti) Barton of Moorhead, MN; Bonita Litteriello of Glendale, AZ; Dennis Barton of Jamestown, ND; Michelle (David) Braaten of Manvel, ND and Myrna Barton of Manvel, ND. Marjorie also leaves 22 beautiful grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren, a sister/brother in law, Dan and Helen Sweeney, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents James and Grace; husband Gerald; grandson Bronson Heinle; daughters-in-law Liane Barton and Darlene Barton. She was the last living sibling in her McGregor family. Her sisters Dorothy, Elnora, Lucille, Mildred, Teresa and Evelyn; her brother James, along with numerous brothers and sisters in-laws preceded her in death.

Our mom will be greatly missed, but we know in our hearts, she will be wrapped in the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Angels and Saints, and all the loved ones she has missed dearly these past years.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3rd at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Manvel, ND. 

Rosary at 9:00 a.m. and visitation 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be at St. Timothy’s Cemetery, Manvel, ND this spring.

Visit www.amundsonfuneralhome.com for online condolences and additional information.