Marie Donnelly (née Baluch) passed away July 27th, 2020 at her home in Ocean Park, Surrey, BC. She was born to Erasmus Baluch and Anastasia Lega, in a small village in Galicia, Poland (currently Ukraine) on February 1st, 1926.
Marie left home at the age of fifteen, and spent most of World War II in Germany, performing menial labour. After a brief time studying to be a nurse in England, Marie emigrated to Canada in 1948, where she worked as a practical nurse in northern Alberta and then northern Ontario. There, she met her future husband Lawrence Louis “Lorne” Donnelly in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Marie & Lorne were married at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church (Vancouver, BC) in 1955. They spent their married life building a private business and raising their three children, Maureen, Lawrence, Jr. and Mark. In later years, Marie went back to work as a nurse at Pearson Hospital in south Vancouver. During this time, Marie & Lorne enjoyed traveling, particularly to Italy and New Zealand.
Marie is predeceased by husband Lawrence (1929-1982) and daughter Maureen Ratzlaff (1956-2011). She is survived by sons, Rev. Lawrence Donnelly, Mark Donnelly & wife Catherine (née Becher), son-in-law Wayne Ratzlaff; grandchildren Sean & wife Janie (née Grimm), Colleen & husband Will Bittman, Theresa, Lawrence, Francis, Allanna, Joseph, Mary-Katherine & Gregory; and great- grandchild Leo Bittman.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Sts Joachim & Ann Catholic Church.
Prayers - Sunday, August 9th, 2020, 5:30 pm
Sts Joachim & Ann Catholic Church
2827 273 Street, Aldergrove, BC
Requiem Mass - Monday, August 10th, 2020, 8:30 am
Sts Joachim & Ann Catholic Church
2827 273 Street, Aldergrove, BC
Burial to follow at 11:00 am
Ocean View Cemetery
4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC
The services will be live streamed and may be viewed here: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC5w2F4-fX4BuxZzVyLtFGqQ
NOTE: Due to covid-19 restrictions, if you wish to attend the prayers or funeral, please email parish.ssja@rcav.org