Obituary of Marcheta Elizabeth Biddiscombe (née Sansom)

She was more than a bit saucy, our Mom.  For us, she was the centre of our universe.

 

Marcheta passed peacefully on December 5^th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at Perley Veterans Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. Marcheta was born to parents Margaret and James Sansom on June 20^th, 1926, in Campbellton, New Brunswick, where she grew up with her 4 siblings.

 

In 1944, when she was 18, Marcheta enlisted with the Women’s Royal Canadian Service. She was barracked in Ottawa for training and then stationed in Newfoundland. After the war she enrolled at the University of New Brunswick where she met her future husband, Bernard (Biddy) Biddiscombe. They married and went on to have 6 children. Biddy remained with the Royal Canadian Air Force until the early ‘60’s. The family was stationed throughout Canada and the U.K. When Biddy retired from the Canadian Forces, the family settled in Ottawa. He and Marcheta travelled extensively as part of his job with the Canadian International Development Agency.

 

Marcheta was a wonderful mother. She taught us to be independent and to think for ourselves. She was proud of us. She was fierce in her defence of us and loved each of us equally. She was our Mom, and we all loved her so much!

 

Marcheta had so much energy and a passion for life. She was funny and a bit irreverent. She enjoyed a busy family and social life. Amongst her greatest joys were sailing, golf, curling, gardening and reading. She loved to travel and visited over 45 countries. She was a long-term volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Marcheta was adored by her family and friends and was never a stranger, for long, to all of those who met her. She will be profoundly missed.

 

Marcheta was predeceased by her husband Biddy, long-term partner Ken Roy, sisters Jean and Joyce, and brothers David (Buzz) and Robert.

 

Marcheta is survived by her 6 children Penny (Bruce) Hobbs, Wendy (Paul) Overend, Bill Biddiscombe, Cathy (Garth) Gilroy, Mary (Bruce d.) Biddiscombe, and Annabel (Chris d) Ring, her 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren (who called her Nanacombe) and two great great grandchildren.

 

The family would like to express its eternal gratitude to the Staff and Volunteers at Perley Veterans Health Centre for caring for their Mom in her final years.  Every day was made special by their devotion to Marcheta and to the many Veterans in their care.

 

In lieu of flowers and cards, please consider a donation to the Perley Veteran’s Health Centre Foundation. 

 

We welcome words of condolences to: Colefuneralservices.com