Our inspiring and delightful mother, grandmother, and friend, made her sudden and very peaceful exit on Saturday, July 1, 2017, at home, in the company of family members.
Born in Shedden, Ontario, on January 1, 1921, the only child of Edith (McGibbon) and Lloyd Atkinson, Marion determined at an early age that life should be lived with a positive attitude. Her glass was always half-full, and in her view, it was more often brimming over.
A teacher of English and French, in Stoney Creek and Sarnia, and later a teacher-librarian, in Etobicoke and Amherstburg, Ontario, she was admired by students and colleagues alike. She enjoyed every day of her professional life, sharing with her students her passion for poetry and theatre, especially Shakespeare. One former student wrote to her, decades after graduation, to thank her: “I’ve been in love with words ever since.” In retirement Marion was active at the University Women’s Club of Toronto, and late in life she joined the Act II Studio at Ryerson, a theatre school for seniors, where she resumed her long-dormant love-affair with acting. Jazz and big-band music were the soundtrack of her life, and swing music never failed to light up her eyes. On the dance floor, especially with our dad, she shone.
She is predeceased by her husband of 47 years, William Wood (1992). Left to appreciate all that she gave us are her four grateful children, Roberta (Guy Lafontaine), Alan, Carolyn (Seán Slowey), and Diane; her three grandchildren, Sarah Quigley (Stephen Folwell), Jacob Quigley (Marj Wong), and Callum Quigley (Violet Chen), three great-grandchildren (Nigel, Gemma, and Madeleine), dozens of nieces and nephews, and her cousin Dorothy Atkinson.
The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff of Eden Manor, and of Bradgate Arms, for their care and kindness. Thanks also to Diane Marty, for keeping her physically strong in her old age. She added years to Marion’s life – a gift to us all.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday 8 July at 1:00 pm, at Turner and Porter (Yorke Chapel), 2357 Bloor Street West (at Windermere). Visitation will be on Friday 7 July, 3:00 – 8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to Interval House (www.intervalhouse.ca), Act 2 Studio (www.act2studio.ca/donate/), or to the charity of your choice.