In her 92nd year, on Sept. 24, Mom, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Formerly of Edmonton and Toronto, Mom was pre-deceased by her loving husband (Peter M. Mann) of 57 years; sister Nancy McFarlane (London, ON, 2015) and John Wallace (Victoria BC, 1998). She is sadly missed by her children Barbara, Cathy (John Fairchild), Marian (Rob Butler); her grandchildren Zachary (Natasha), Jason, Bronwyn Fairchild; Samuel (Sarah) of Texas, Daniel and Olivia Butler and great grandchildren Rosalyn, Annie and Mae Fairchild and Lily, Jamie and soon to arrive Jesse Butler. Also missed by Jeanie MacFarlane & Sherri Watkinson to whom she was a honourary Mom, and by the Wallace and Wood clans.
Marian is fondly remembered for her quick wit, listening ear, political awareness, a love of Canada, wall notes of thoughts and humour; calligraphy, grammar and scrabble skills and an open house during high school lunches. She was an avid walker, reader, blood donor, loved house plants, her garden and was a member of Nature Guelph. She was educated at Branksome Hall, Toronto ON, and worked first as an early childhood educator and later as the first Official Guardian Worker for Family and Children Services.
Known for her volunteerism in the community, Mom was an active member of parent teacher councils; helped start the Willow Road Child Care Centre (the first affordable daycare in Guelph) and recycling in Guelph. Mom was very active at the Arboretum and volunteered with the Red Cross for 39 years. Before computers, Marian designed, drew and delivered Blood Donor Clinic posters around the city and she was a front line worker at all the clinics.
Many thanks to the staff at the St. Joe’s Out and About Program - which Mom loved attending. Thanks, also, to the Bayshore palliative team including the dispatcher and especially, Dr. C. Shafir, nurses Kandice; Jess; Laura and Tara. You rocked it sisters!
A celebration of life will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Brombal Funeral Home, 1 Delhi St., Guelph, ON A memorial will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel. A time for people to share memories, stories and thoughts, if they wish.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Guelph Red Cross, the Out & About program at St. Joseph Hospital and the Guelph VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) would be appreciated by the family (& Mom). Donation cards will also be available at the funeral home, or send condolences at brombal.ca 519-824-0031.
Ps. Mom, we know you are secretly editing this right now.