Obituary of Marie Anne MacBride

Marie Anne (Arbour) MacBride, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Morgantown Health and Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness. She was born on May 18, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Philip and Ann (Oakes) Arbour. Following the sudden death of their mother when they were eight years old, Marie and her twin brother Jack moved to Canada, where they were raised by their maternal grandparents Joseph and Sarah Oakes, to enable their father Philip to continue to work to support his family. Years of competing with her twin brother helped to fuel Marie’s determination to excel in the classroom. Marie graduated from Kingsville High School in Ontario, Canada and after graduating with honors from Lewis College of Business in Detroit, she worked at the Detroit branch of the United States Federal Reserve Bank. Her work ethic led to her rapid rise to the position of executive secretary to the vice president of the branch. When she retired from the bank before the birth of her daughter Anne, she was asked if there was something she wanted as a departure gift. Her request to burn money that was being taken out of circulation was granted and she was photographed burning $6 million dollars of old bills! Marie met her future husband Jim MacBride when she lived in Windsor, Ontario while working at the bank in neighboring Detroit. They were married in 1952. Jim’s work took them from Windsor to Cincinnati, next to Syracuse and finally to Morgantown in 1976. Soon after moving to Morgantown Marie began working as a Welcome Wagon International Hostess. For over 20 years she visited people new to the area, welcoming them to the community with a basket of gifts from local merchants. Despite the challenges of life, Marie remained faithful - never wavering in her commitment to God, her family and her friends. She excelled as a wife, mother, grandmother. Marie was a gracious hostess and accomplished chef. No Christmas dinner was complete without the flaming Plum Pudding from Harrods in London! She was an avid reader, a great listener and an equally great conversationalist, with a delightful sense of humor. Marie was a devout Catholic and attended daily Mass faithfully for most of her life, until her health prevented it. She was a member of the Light of Life Prayer Group at the Good Counsel Friary and attended daily Mass there with Father Jude Mili, OFM. In recent years Marie was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, where she served on the parish prayer chain. Marie is survived by her daughter, Anne MacBride and husband Paul Kritschgau, grandchildren Daniel and wife Abigail, Michael and Marie Kritschgau, who fondly called her Grammy, and great-grandson Henry Kritschgau. She is also survived by ten nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her beloved twin brother, John (Jack) Arbour, by her devoted husband of almost 64 years, James (Jim) MacBride, and by a niece Elaine Hartman. In keeping with Marie’s wishes cremation services were provided by Hastings Funeral Home. A private inurnment service was conducted at Beverly Hills Memorial Garden on April 15, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 19 Jo Glen Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia. The Mass will be concelebrated by Father Carlos Melocoton Jr. and Father Biju T. Devassy. A luncheon in Theophilus Hall will follow the service. Flowers will be gratefully accepted, but if preferred donations may be made to St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 19 Jo Glen Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 OR Mountain Stewardship and Outdoor Leadership (MSOL) School 130 Discovery Place, Morgantown, WV 26508 Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com