Born in Ballarat (Victoria), the daughter of W Shoppee, Marjorie attended Ballarat State School. She married Max Parker on 12 June 1926. They were to have one son.

A keen gardener, Parker was deeply involved with community services. She was president and founder of a Launceston Creche, which was later named in her honour (The Dame Marjorie Parker Creche).

From 1941 to 1969 she was an announcer and director of women's interests with 7EX Radio in Launceston. In 1954 Parker became the Public Relations Adviser for the Girl Guides Association, a position she held until 1968.Commencing in 1961, Parker was president and organiser of the Launceston Red Cross Meals on Wheels for ten years. During this time, she was also Northern Regional President of the Australian Red Cross Society of Tasmania Division (1965-1968). In 1964 (until 1971) Parker joined the State Executive of the Tasmanian Division of the Miss Australia Quest. In 1964 she became State Executive and Public Relations Officer of the Tasmanian Good Neighbour Council, a post she held until 1970. From 1964 until 1968 Parker was also the vice-president of the United Nations Association in Launceston.

The Society for the Care of Crippled Children made Parker a life member, in 1973. She had been an executive member of the Society for many years. In 1974, Parker was made a life member of the National Council of Australian Women of which she was deputy chairman from 1960 to 1964.

Marjorie Parker was a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Victoria League (Launceston) of which she was President from 1966 to 1969 and the Soroptimist Club of Launceston. President of the Soroptimist Club in 1951, the Club awards the Dame Marjorie Parker Memorial Award each year.

Sources used to compile this entry: Howie, Ann (ed.), Who's who in Australia 1991, 27 edn, Information Australia Group Pty Ltd, Melbourne, 1990, 1267 pp; This biography was prepared with the help of the Launceston Reference Group of the Australian Women's Archives Project.