Obituaries

Marie died peacefully in her home May 30th after a short and brave battle with cancer.

She is survived by longtime companion Barry Vosper, and her four children: Dan McLelland (Jacqui), Don McLelland (Ejta), Lisa East (Lisa), Doug McLelland, five grandchildren: Andrea (Jason), Kathleen, Meta, Jeffrey (Mercedes), Raymond, and six great grandchildren: Jaden, Travis, Savanna, Jasmine, Kina and Breanna, and niece and nephew Chantal and Gordon (Sonja).

Marie was predeceased by her sisters Irene Barlow and Shirely Teichner.

Marie was born in Saskatchewan, and moved to Vancouver as a child. She came to Victoria in 1973, finally fulfilling her dream of moving to the island that was sparked by a childhood visit to Victoria. Marie loved the beauty of the island. She considered herself a spiritual person, and although she did not attend church, believed in God devoutly. She considered the outdoors, the trees, the sky, the clouds, sunrises and sunsets to be her church.

She was a lover of animals and always had a dog in her life. She would nurse back to health any small creature in need that crossed her path. She would often say that she loved being a mother. Her fondest memories were of the endless summer days spent at the beach with her four kids, and any others from the neighbourhood that could squeeze into the car along with the dog and coolers full of food.

Later in life she could always be found accompanying Barry and Kayla the dog, on his Locksmithing rounds, chit-chatting with the regular customers and also taking delight in meeting new people.

Marie loved and lived life to the fullest. She will forever be missed in our hearts and minds. Many thanks to the home care team, palliative care team, and the cancer clinic, all of whom we can’t say enough good things about.

A service will be held Saturday June 15th at 1:30 at St. John the Baptist Heritage Church 537 Glencairn Lane in Colwood. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to your favorite charity.