Aunt Marion –

Where do I start! She wasn’t my “real” aunt but she was an aunt to me in every single sense of the word. Uncle Gene and Aunt Marion were my mom and dad’s (Dale & Donna Spivey) best friends for as far back as I can remember. They met through the oil business, and I used to go with Uncle Gene out on the oil rigs with him wearing my Baroid Oil yellow hard hat as I got to wash the dishes after he had checked the core samples. Aunt Marion had a chair that the back of the chair swirled around. I would “swirl” that back until Aunt Marion (whom I sure was dizzy from watching the back piece swirling) would say “Deb, that’s enough, now chop chop!”. As my wedding gift, Aunt Marion gave me that chair saying, “Deb, no one has ever loved that chair as much as you – now it’s yours.”

There isn’t a time in my life where I don’t remember Aunt Marion being in it. A true classy, fun loving, intelligent woman. Aunt Marion was my first example of a strong independent aggressive woman. She truly impressed me and impressed my life by her living example.

Much love and forever in my thoughts and heart!

Debra Spivey Nissle

Marion – my friend since we first met in Grade 7. We kept our friendship going through many ups and downs and often while living in different countries.

I stayed with Mimi many times over the years on my excursions through Calgary and teased her relentlessly about her chichis.

A few years ago as a way of thanking her for her hospitality I took Mimi on a cruise to Alaska – it was like Grade 7 all over again. She brought so much laughter, color and warmth into any situation.

Mimi – I will miss your friendship, your smile and your purple hair.

Safe journey my dear friend.

Love, Willie

Marion was a unique individual who always watched out for others and her caring had such a positive effect on them. She was not afraid to speak up for what she believed in, all the while being non-judgmental and respectful of their differences of opinion.

Gracious Hostess full of fun and humour, she was always there to offer comfort when needed and shared our joys. We have many wonderful memories of times with her and Gene and she will be forever missed.

Our sincere condolences to Rian and family.

Rian and Family,

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Marion. She was a Scarboro treasure! I loved her tenacity and the many great visits we would have… we seemed to always just bump into each other in “out of Scarboro” locations.

She will be missed, but she really does live within all of us who were lucky to know her.

My deepest sympathy,

Rob (and Lisa) Bannerman

Marion was a warm, wonderful woman. Our two daughters loved her purple hair and her smile, her love for all of us, every Sunday at Scarboro. I’ll miss her as a active part of our Scarboro environmental committee, right until the last few months, remarkable. Our condolences to her family.

Our love for Marion, Rian, Melissa, Jeffrey and Serena is not possible to put into words. My younger sister, and best friend, will be with me always. We are with you in Spirit. George, Irene, Monica, Gabe and Christopher.

Dear Rian and family,

Please accept my most sincere condolences. As you probably know, your mother was a dedicated member of Project Ploughshares, attending since almost the beginning in 1982, I believe. Her individuality, her gentle sense of humor in the midst of our serious topics, her friendship, will be long remembered. Her Remembrance Day memories, of her going down to the station to farewell four (?) brothers off to WWII was so touching and showed us from where her peace mindedness sprang. We truly loved your mother.

Please feel cared about in this very sad time. With every good wish,

Sally Hodges Ploughshares Calgary Society Executive member.

PS I am searching for the information about her Memorial Service.

“An Angel with Silver Hair and a BIG HEART ” – that was Mother Marion of more than 39 years ago !

Once upon a time there was a biggest exodus of the Vietnamese “ Refugees- Boat People” that never happened in Vietnam throughout its history with many horrific wars. Canada (under Prime Minister Joe Clark and his government ) accepted the first wave of Vietnamese Refugees and we were among them the very first group who arrived in Calgary more than 39 years ago with nothing except a will to live and to overcome whatever hardship or barriers in the new land as long as we could again live our life free of oppressions and regain our dignity of a human being in what had seemed to have lost forever (with our beloved Saigon & the South Vietnam- Black April 30th 1975- Journey to Freedom Day in Canada- Bill S219) – in the name of FREEDOM & Justice.

All of a sudden, Mother Marion appeared like an Angel, a God sent ! She gave us hope and warm welcome when we seemed hopeless and strange in a new country. Her beautiful smile and good heart had given us so much love, comfort and strength when we were still newcomers in a strange land that we called our new Home, new adopted Country – Canada.

Though we are very different- skin colour, language, culture, heritage – Mother Marion ‘s love and compassion erased all these differences. The only thing that we had in common at the time was the same red blood circulated within our human hearts. That was the only similarity that miraculously bonded us together!

It was through you, Mother Marion, that we have come to know Canada, and adopted it as our own, and loved it so deeply and gracefully.

Ever since Rian conveyed to us the news, flooded eyes become natural whenever I thought of your kindness and the love that you had given us- You are the true Samaritan that we hear in the Gospel!

May GOD Bless your Holy Soul. You will be in our prayers everyday , Mother/Grandma Marion!

Dear Rian & Family: Our sincerest condolences to you. May God always comfort and strengthen you and your family always and especially during this time of true sorrow with the passing of Mimi.

Hoa Hoang from Toronto on behalf of the Hoang’s family:

Nhi , Tina –Mike & Family

Hoa-Loc & Family

Thuy- Steven and Family

Khuyen-Duc & Family

Dear Rian, I am so so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was such a beautiful person, I will miss her and her purple hair :-) very badly. She was always so kind to my wife, my mom(Anne) my boys and I. It breaks my heart that i didn’t get over to see her like I said I would after she moved to Trinity. I will miss her so much and I will always treasure the memories that I have of her. :-(

Marion was a bright light for all to see & enjoy @ Scarboro United Church, & I will miss her greatly. A life well lived! Her spirit shines on. With sincere sympathy, Velma

Ryan (and family)

My deepest condolences on the great loss of the matriarch of your family.

We are so sorry to hear about Marion. She was such a wonderful and unique lady. We are thinking about all of you.

Roxanne Tschida McDonald

Ed Tschida

I was blessed and privileged to have known Marion. She was elegant, fought for justice, well informed and spoke truth. She had a great zest for life and a great sense of fun and humour. I will miss her so much,

Melinda Lang, Calgary

Rian & Family

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.We will miss our fun loving Aunt. Always surprising us with a different hair colour or “funky” outfit on one the the years holiday’s. She lived her life fully never wasting any time. She was always on the go visiting family and friends. We will miss her Sunday drop ins for coffee and chats. She was an amazing person who will always be remember. Rest in Peace Mimie

Dear Rian,

So sorry to hear that your wonderful mother has passed away. She was a first cousin to my mother, Nell (Kuzyk) Worobetz. My sister, Carol, and I got to know her best when she and your dad lived in Saskatoon for awhile. They actually moved in kitty corner from us at that time so we saw them a lot. I will always remember the many laughs and good times we had with them, the vitality that your mom always showed. Carol and I just loved her.

May your many memories of her give you comfort. Please accept my condolences.

Sitting on Marion’s old green couch I think not so much about the blue, purple or green hair, but of her wit & perception. It seemed of late whether I ran into her at a Lakeview United Church event, or at an exercise class, or just down the street, I was always left with a smile on my face & her send off to me of “See ya kid”. And I did feel like a kid, the one who thinks, ‘when I grow up I hope I can be like Marion’. I still feel this way. Thanks Marion & yup, ‘see ya’.

Marion was one of a kind. My wife and I were kids in our early twenties and she was our cool late-60s neighbour… the first one we’d had on our own.

She would ask to walk our dog and treated her like gold. I’d play guitar on our patio and would hear her clapping from hers. Never a single word about loud music or noisy guests (we were respectful but still young people on our own for the first time). She came to know our children and see our family start. She offered sincere comfort in times of pain and showed real joy when it reflected ours. She truly enjoyed life and cherished the people in hers, and though we moved away and no longer were able to see her nearly as often as we wanted to, she remained in our lives and will be deeply missed.

We’ve lost a very special person, and best neighbour two kids could have asked for.

Our deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Marion, you are such a beautiful ray of inspiration. You would be welcome in any church on this planet, kid. We will miss you immensely, until we meet again,

Marion was a “cool” aunt. Always so much fun to be with and always lit up the room with her sense of humour and lovely smile. Remember visiting with her and Uncle Gene at the house on Scarboro Ave or at Gramma’s every summer vacation. You’ll be dearly missed. Another wonderful angel looking down on all of us with a smile. RIP Marion. Maureen Maguss (Ottawa)

Dear Rian and family. Many fond memories of your Mom. As a family we visited and stayed while we visited Disney Land in California. Also being neighbours in Calgary, having our retirement party at your Mom and a Dads house. I could go on for ever.

Hugs from the Christie (Martha) family.