Aileen’s Mother Louise Beaubier and my Father Martin Maronda were first cousins … making Aileen and me second cousins I believe. Although there was a full generation in age between us, Aileen was always pleasant, kind, and friendly towards me and I truly thought the world of both her and Nelson. They were a very bright, intelligent, creative, artistic, and interesting couple. Whether I bumped into them at Theatre Calgary or had coffee with them after a family get-together there was always lively, interesting conversation, pleasant reminiscences, and laughs too! Running into Aileen and Nelson was always a great pleasure for me! Aileen always seemed far younger than her years, and recently I constantly found it so hard to believe she was closing in on 90! I was not aware she was seriously ill, and I was taken aback when I learned of her passing! That said, she and Nelson always were such a great team … in business and in life … and continuing on alone was not easy for Aileen. I like to think the two of them are now once again reunited in “that great design studio in the sky” … working side by side side in perfect harmony as they did for so many decades. I shall miss Aileen! My sympathy goes out to Larry, to Aileen’s other nieces and nephews, and to the rest of the family as well!
