A Woman Well Moved “When you move, always unpack the bed and bedding first.” “Nothing is lost in spirit.” “Let Go and Let God”
“The Spirit of the Lord Goes Before Me And Prepares For Me, a Place to Park”
On April 12, 2021, Marion Mitchell passed on to her next residence, where ever that may be. She passed gently and peacefully, simply from her 91 year old body deciding it was time.
If you look up kindness in the dictionary, you will find Marion Mitchell’s photo there. She was simply one of the nicest, least judgmental people you will ever have met. She had a memory that would astound; her recollections were unsurpassed. And she did like to tell a story. From living in Wapella, Saskatchewan, where she was born, to the many, many (did we say many?) places she lived, she never forgot a person, an event, a date.
She claimed to have lived in no less than sixty houses or apartments in her lifetime. We were there for many of them. She was born in 1930 to Grace and John Tocher. Their family expanded 11 years later when her sister, Lynn, was born. When Grace was stricken with Tuberculosis and had to go live in “The San” as it was called then, Marion and Lynn were sent to live with John’s parents in Wapella. You see, John worked for the railroad, and was away a lot. Eventually, raising a 13 and 2 year old became too much for them, and Marion was sent to boarding school at Luther College. Marion LOVED Luther. She kept in touch with as many schoolmates as possible from there, and never tired of remembering those times.
Among Marion’s relocations, one took her to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. There she met a handsome, funny fellow named Gordon Mitchell, who loved to dance. As did she. They fell in love and married in 1950. Gordon became a traveling salesman, so, as Fate would have it, Gordon continued to provide Marion with her nomadic life, and so began their many moves to cities and towns.
They were the eternal optimists.
Of the many places they lived, Marion and Gordon found happiness, joy, fun, and long-lasting friendships, without fail. Especially fond memories were in Moose Jaw, Calgary, Brooks, Kelowna, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Victoria. Gordon passed in 2006 and in 2008, Marion moved to Vancouver, to be closer to Colleen. (By then, Sid had moved to England and Kirk remained in Kelowna.)
Even then, Marion managed to move three times in 6 years!!!!! All within a 7 block radius. In 2012, Marion moved into Seton Villa Retirement Home. SHE LOVED IT. She loved the food, the companionship, the social interaction among other things. . She was on the Executive, worked in the store, and enjoyed brain games. She especially liked that she never had to cook another meal Oh, in keeping with her habits, she moved three times whilst living in Seton Villa….
In these last few months, Marion’s difficulty breathing began to get the best of her. Despite being on oxygen, and in Assisted Living, she was less mobile and frustrated with her limitations, yet she remained positive. The staff at Seton Villa were amazing as was Fraser Health. She could not have been in a better place to end her time on this earth. This was her chosen and preferred last earthly home.
Marion is survived by her daughter Sidonie and her kids Sara and Ken (and his wife, Coreen, and their daughters Emily and Jessica); her son Kirk (and his wife Karen, their sons Allen and Trevor and Trevor’s wife, Emily and their two kids Gunner and Amelia); and last but not least, Colleen (and her partner Anthony and their two kids, Oliver and Hazel.)
For those that loved her, know she was held by Colleen until her last, gentle breath and went to the next and final (?) residence with grace, dignity, and peace. We can all take a page from her.
Go with God, our Mum Sid, Kirk and Colleen