Marina Elizabeth Matchim (Nee Pritchett)
January 27, 1939 to June 8, 2026
Obituary
For those unable to attend the funeral service for Marina Matchim, click HERE to view via livestream.
Marina Elizabeth Matchim (nee Pritchett), originally of Gambo NL, passed away peacefully in St. John’s on June 8, 2026.
Marina was predeceased by her parents Job and Susanna Pritchett, brothers Willis, Ted and Harold, sisters Bernice, Vera and Gloria and son-in-law Aryan Ahrar.
Left to mourn, and to celebrate her memory, are her beloved husband, Ford; her daughters Roxanne (Glenn) and Peggy; and her sons Leslie (Melissa) and Greg. As well, her cherished grandchildren: Paige and Riley Brown; Julia and Kate Matchim and their mom Angela May Matchim; Darby and Jolene Matchim and their mom Paula Hannam.
Marina greatly loved, and will be missed by, all of her extended Pritchett and Matchim family members. This includes her sisters and brothers-in-law as well as her many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was blessed with many loving, close friends in her bridge, church and RCMP communities, and was especially close with her sisters-in-law Bonnie Pritchett and Mary Ann Hussey.
Marina began her professional life as a young teacher working in Happy Adventure, where she met and fell in love with Ford. They’ve enjoyed many blessings over their long and loving marriage of 62 years, including many moves through New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan, along with Ford’s RCMP postings.
Marina played a vital role in Ford’s RCMP career, especially during his leadership roles in Grand Falls, Fredericton, Ottawa, and through his tenure as Commander of the RCMP Training Academy in Regina. Marina’s extensive volunteer work, relationship-building, and hosting of countless local and international dignitaries were critical to success all along the way.
Once her children were raised, Marina continued on her own professional path, including as Manager of a busy retail chain store in Fredericton and as a successful real estate agent in Ottawa.
Marina is remembered for her incredibly warm and loving nature, her sense of humor, and for her gift of connecting so easily and genuinely, right from her heart. We must say so long for now, but her love and legacy lives on within each and every one of us who were blessed to know her.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be at Carnell’s Funeral Home (Freshwater Road, St. John’s) on Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral service will be held at St. Mark’s Anglican Church (Logy Bay Road, St. John’s) on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 2pm.
To leave messages of remembrance and condolence, visit www.carnells.com. Donations in Marina’s memory may be made to St. Mark’s Anglican Church on Logy Bay Road in St. John’s, NL.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on June 14, 2026
7-9 p.m. on June 14, 2026
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
2:00pm, Monday June 15th
St. Mark's Anglican Church
203 Logy Bay Rd, St. John's
Ford and family – please accept my sincere condolences on Marina’s passing. May she rest in peace.
Dear Ford, Roxanne, Les, Peggy and Greg and families,
We are so very sorry to hear the sad news about Marina.
I have fond memories of her kindness and warmth.
Thinking about you all during this very difficult time.
Ford and family: I first met Marina at your wedding when I stood for you, and that goes back to 1963. Our paths crossed over the years, and it was always a pleasure when we met again. My deepest condolences to you and your family on this sad occasion. May the happy times with Marina help you at this time.
Lindsay Fraser
Ford & Family:
We are sorry to hear of Marina’s passing. We send our sincere condolence. to you all.
May your7 many special memories be a blessing to you at this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you – Dick & Rita King
Greg, Roxanne., Glenn and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of the sudden passing of your mom. My thoughts have been with you all at this sad time.
Very sorry to hear of your loss ford. God bless
Ford, sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. Sincere condolences to you and your family.
Sincere condolences Ford, Roxanne, Peggy, Leslie and Greg. We were so sad and shocked to hear of Marina passing. She was like a sister to my sisters and I when she lived with us in Gander. She would take us to the Highlight Restaurant for fries and coke. I will especially remember her trips with Aunt Bonnie to visit us since living on the west coast. I was so very fortunate to have spent time with her last Friday and Saturday. That time will be forever remembered with love.
Ford and family :
Thinking of you all at this sad time and praying for you all in your sorrow. We loved Marina with all of our hearts. She had a special gift of making friends feel like family. We hold her kindness, compassion and great sense of humour in our hearts forever
My deepest condolences to the entire family. I have lovely memories of your Mother from my younger years in Fredericton. She always had an open door and warm heart. I feel lucky to have known her
Ford and family
Saddened to hear of Marina’s passing and I send my sincere condolences.
Marina was my Grade 3 teacher and it was always a pleasure to see her anytime since.
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you all now and in the coming days. May God grant you courage and strength .
Ford and family,
I was saddened to hear of Marina ‘s death. She was such a kind and loving lady. Marina always had time to say hello and she always waited to hear your response. Her smile and genuine care for others was a great gift for all who knew her. May she rest in peace and rise with the angels. My thoughts and prayers ard with you all. Blessings.
Peace
Jean
Ford, Roxanne, Peggy, Leslie and Greg,
So sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts of Marina particularly focus on her time in Gander after Ford’s retirement from the RCMP. She was such a companion to her Aunt Gladys (Glenn’s mother), taking her to church and out for lunches and of course she read at Mom’s funeral in Gander a decade ago.
May Marina rest in peace.
Glenn and Beverley Kirby
Ford and family, I offer you my condolences on Marina’s passing.
Ford, Children, the Matchim and Pritchett families;
I was saddened to hear of Marina’s passing and wish to extend my sincere condolences to you all at this difficult time.
I met up with you both at St. Mark’s Church this past winter and we sat very close and together at times, always having a little chat before or after the service. Marina was so warm and welcoming and a pleasure to reconnect with.
I know she was loved and well respected by everyone.
May your beautiful memories guide you as you celebrate her life and mourn her passing.
Thinking of you all with love, Gloria Bradley-Moss
Im saddened to hear of Marina’s passing. She was a beautiful soul. Always interested in your life and a great listener. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to Ford, Peggy and the rest of Marina’s cherished family. May her spirit soar and light perpetual shine upon her. Ill be seeing ya Marina.
Much love
Kimberly Taylor (previously Yetman Dawson
From the time I was born in my grandparents’ house, Marina has always been a part of my life. I miss and mourn that absence.
Our sympathy goes out to you Ford. Roxanne, Les, Peggy and Greg, the suddenness of this event is unbelievable and extremely difficult. You have so many wonderful memories of an extraordinary person, wife, mother, and grandparent and hopefully these memories can help.
Monty and Joyce
Roxanne and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. I’ve never met her, but the way you talked about your parents, I could sense their love for each other and their family. Hugs to you as you go through this difficult time.
I have not seen Marina for many years but I do remember how kind she was and how much she could laugh. She was Dad’s (Norman Pritchett) youngest cousin. Our family moved to Middle Brook from Gander in 1955, I often walked to school with Marina and she looked after me. Caring thoughts to her family. Nita (Pritchett) Booth
Ford and family, we were saddened to hear of Marina, our Sister-in-law, passing and we were touched by the beautiful obituary that honoured her long and meaningful life. We hold especially dear the memory of Marina and Ford visiting us in Wisconsin in 2011 to celebrate Thanksgiving, a wonderful event spent together that we will always remember.
May God comfort and care for you all while you celebrate her legacy that lives on.
Walt and Jean, Wisconsin, USA
Roxanne, Glenn, Paige & Riley. So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of you as you deal with this tremendous loss. She was such a lovely lady and I hope all your wonderful memories will help comfort you through this difficult time.
Marina passing is not only a loss to her immediate family but a painful loss of true definition of a sweetmother.
Her soft spoken voice kept running through my ears because she would always genuinely want to know how you are doing, a mom indeed!
Marina and Ford are two of a special kind and are
God Parents to our children it was a double
blessing in transfer I never take for granted and that memory means the world to us. She left a space her seating position in the parish of the good Shephard. Painfully my family continue to talk about her absence and two months ago sent her a message on Facebook only to realize that space is a void.
Her beautiful soul will never die but forever be cherished!
Adieu until we meet again and good night! Marina.
Dear Ford, Roxanne, Les, Peg, and Greg …feeling sad and blessed to have had the privilege of knowing you all and such fun and happy memories all the way back to Perth and fredericton and moncton and NL.. Marina was always so kind and loving and funny and made my family feel like her family. Our prayers are with you and all your family. I will be in touch as we learn time is precious. May God embrace you all . Love to all of you ❤️
Roxanne, Ford we are so sorry to hear of the passing of Marina. On behalf of your RCMP family in B Division please accept our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Cahill
Commanding Officer B Division
Newfoundland and Labrador
Sincere condolences to Ford and all the family. Marina was truly a beautiful lady with a heart of gold.
Ford, we are so sorry to hear of Marina’s passing. Sincere condolences to you and your family at this sad time. Thinking of you. Ed and Claudia Long
Ford and family, the world seems a little darker without Marina’s shining light. Her warmth, ,her laughter, her love of family and friends., always there to listen.
We had so many adventures together , those memories will never die.
We keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you navigate this heartbreaking time.
Gordon and Lynn Butt
Uncle Ford, Roxanne, Peggy, Greg, Leslie and family. I was so sad to hear of Aunt Marina’s passing. She was a very loving and caring person who loved her family dearly. I have so many great memories of growing up around her and your family that makes me smile. Wish I was there to hug you all. A very special lady. She will be missed by many.❤️
Roxanne so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family during this very difficult time. Hugs to you, my friend.
June Daw
Sorry to hear about your Mom Roxanne. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
God bless you all. ❤️🙏
Bernie
Sending so much love to all of you during this challenging time.
Praying that you will find moments of peace and comfort knowing that there are so many surrounding you with love and strength.
With heartfelt condolences,
Linda Erbs
Millie and I are so very sorry for your loss . We have so many fond memories of our times with both you and Marina. Our deepest sympathy is with you
Dearest Aunt Marina, LIFE will NEVER be the same without you. You and your entire Family have been in just about every chapter of me and my Family’s life. I cherish our love of shoes and purses and exchanging whenever we met. It’s the only thing of yours that ever fit me! Say hi to Hector. Rest in Eternal Peace.
Oh Pegs I know this is one of the hardest things you have to go through. Your mama was a lovely woman and my mom always enjoyed her company. Peace and strength be with you in the coming days and months.
Dearest Aunt Marina,
Your love and warm spirit touched all. You enriched all our family members and you shall be sorely missed!!
Though we lived far apart, my visits with you were always anticipated eagerly . Our times together were bright and I cherish those opportunities we had.
Much love,
Dawn
To Uncle Ford, Roxanne, Peggy, Leslie and Greg and your families, please accept our heartfelt condolences on Aunt Marina’s passing. We are so saddened to think that such a bright and energetic spirit will not be in our physical lives anymore but take comfort in knowing she will always be in our hearts! Love and thoughts to you all.
My sincere condolences to Uncle Ford, Roxanne, Peggy, Leslie, Greg, and all of Aunt Marina’s family. Aunt Marina has been part of my life since childhood, and I have many fond memories of the summers when she and her family would come home to visit. The family home was a very special gathering place — where Aunt Marina, my dad, and their siblings grew up, and where my sister and I grew up as well. I am grateful for those memories and for the family connection she helped keep alive over the years. She will be remembered with love.