Obituary of Marla Irene Renton

June 20, 1947 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

January 3, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marla Irene Renton, a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother (Nana), aunt, and friend. Marla fought a tough battle against cancer with incredible strength and bravery until the very end. Remembering her with love are her two sons, James (Christy) and David (Bo), her two adored grandsons Grady and Cooper. Marla was predeceased by her father William (Ed) Robertson (1982), mother Merle Robertson (1994), and her best friend and husband of thirty-two years, Peter Renton (2008).

Marla was born in Saskatoon and moved around to various small Saskatchewan towns during her upbringing, with her dad working for CN Rail, often living in train stations twenty meters from the track. She started school in Dundurn, before moving to Aberdeen and finally Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon.

Upon finishing school, she travelled around Europe with her longtime friend Faye before moving to Calgary. It was Calgary she would call home and where she met Peter, began a career, established a close-knit group of friends, and raised her family. She was always involved in James and Dave’s school activities, volunteering in several capacities and forever enjoyed walking the family dog Benji alongside her Oakridge dog walking crew. Her love of dogs continued throughout her life, most recently with her grand dogs Blix and Leo. She was always willing to dog sit and was a self-proclaimed “treat dispenser”. It was no wonder she was the dogs’ favorite person. Marla was famous for her Sunday dinners where everyone in the family got together once a week to tell stories, exchange laughs, and enjoy a great homecooked meal. James and Dave plan to keep this tradition going.

In Marla’s later years, she entered her “Nana” phase. She formed a close bond with both her grandsons, taking them for frequent one-on-one dinners, outings to Heritage Park, and she was their biggest hockey fan whenever they were on the ice.

Marla was caring, kind, and dedicated to her family above anything else. She touched the hearts of many people throughout her life and will be sorely missed, but not forgotten.  

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Richard Lee Ying and all the support staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Center, Dr. Simon Bryant, and all the kind-hearted staff at the Rosedale Hospice in her final days.

To honor Marla’s wishes there will be no funeral service, but a Celebration of Life will be held at Heritage Park, Gasoline Alley Mezzanine level (1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2X3) on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Marla’s family here.

In lieu of flowers, for those that wish to express sympathy, please consider making a donation to Rosedale Hospice, #1245 – 70 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2X8 Telephone: (403) 284 – 5195 or the Pancreatic Cancer Canada, #316 – 4211 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2P 2A9 Telephone: (888) 726 – 2269

In living memory of Marla Renton, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3A6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.