Marleen took her last breath and passed on to the Great Beyond and is Soaring like an Eagle, on Monday, January 16, 2017 at 10:22 AM with her husband Don and family by her bedside. Marleen fought a brave, courageous year and a half battle with cancer and fought valiantly with great dignity, pride and a dash of humor. As was her way in most facets of her extraordinary life. She gave her precious Don her last two final breaths, and was a gift in itself as she passed peacefully.
Marleen was a very special and extraordinary woman.... it would be fair to say that she lived three lifetimes in One Life. She and her husband Don were best friends, business partners, husband and wife, soulmates, parents, grandparents and great grandparents.
Marleen’s adventures, both personal and professional were vast and could be journalized in a best-selling novel for the avid reader to follow, however, far too numerous to list without the assistance of a publisher! Marleen was a very successful real estate agent and broker of her own company for many years. She sold real estate in Williams Lake, Vancouver, Europe and Ashcroft and specialized in ranch sales and was one of the First Women to do so, successfully. We enjoyed her many varied tales of “Stompin’ through the backwoods of the Chilcotin Country with her clients from Europe, particularly, Germany.
The words “Quit” and “Can’t” did not exist in Marleen’s vocabulary. She believed all things were possible with hard work and determination. “Chin up, chest out, one foot in front of the other” were her words of advice. Marleen believed you could accomplish anything if you put your mind to it.
Along with her forever motivational pep talks she gave to her family, she was always forever available, anytime, any day, to lend her family her loving heart, her listening ears, and her great words of wisdom. Sometimes the advice they didn’t want to hear, but generally more times than not, she was RIGHT. Her family learned a great deal from her wise words of wisdom throughout the years of which they treasure in their hearts and pass on to their own off-spring. A legacy from Her.
Don and Marleen travelled many parts of the world for business and in pleasure. She always fondly said that there was nowhere else in the world she needed to see, she had seen it and experienced it all, and treasured each and every adventure and journey. All of them neatly documented in her vast array of photo albums for all to enjoy. One of their very special spots and most favourite by far, was Mexico, a small little town called Ixtapa, Zijuatanejo. They bought a little piece of heaven there, a condo which they renovated with her ever special talent and touch. Don and Marleen spent many years enjoying the winter months in their tropical paradise.
Marleen has three children, Kelly (Cindy), Rocky and Deneen (Darrell Bordula ). Their grandchildren , Mick (Miranda), Amanda, Bailey (Lincoln Kennedy), Nicole (Ben Needham), Courtney (Adam), Tiffany (Cody), Daniel, Chelsea (Quinton Favre), Megan (Tim Kennedy), Taylor (Peter MacDonald), Great grandchildren, Austine, Peyton, Ty, Lukas, Benjamin, Jade, Chase, Isabella, soon to be Levi, Traven, Willow and Charleigh.
A Celebration of Marleen’s Extraordinary Life is being held at
St. Alban’s Church, on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00 am.
Reverend Jim White officiating. Tea and sandwiches to follow in the reception room of St. Alban’s.
Marnie, Marleen, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma….You Soar Like and Eagle and will always be our Wind Beneath our Wings…
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to be made in Marleen’s memory to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice Home in Kamloops, BC, or the BC Cancer Society.