Marion Amy Rogers
May 15, 1937 – Oct 16, 2022
Marion Amy Rogers (nee Atwell) of Calgary and Canmore, Alberta, died Sunday, October 16, 2022, with her entire family by her side, either in person or in spirit.
Marion was predeceased by her husband, J. Victor (Vic) Rogers; her parents, Amy and Kenneth Atwell of Montreal, QC and London, ON; her brother Gordon Atwell (and sister-in-law Carol) of Toronto, ON; infant granddaughter Heather Purdy of Calgary, AB; and brother-in-law Thomas Rogers of Toronto and Ottawa, ON.
Marion is survived by daughter Carolyn Rogers (Greg Constable) of Invermere, BC; son James C. V. (Jim) Rogers (Lisanne) of Snowmass, CO; and daughter Sheryl Purdy (Storm) of Calgary, AB. In addition, Marion is survived by her adored grandchildren Scott Baldwin (Kathleen Wallace), Nicholas Baldwin (Jillian), Victoria Almond (Michael), Jillian Purdy (Mac Hanna), John (Jack) Rogers, Lindsay Rogers, and Madeleine Rogers, and treasured great grandchildren Isla Marion and Maxwell Baldwin, Ingrid and Frederick Baldwin, and Jack Almond.
Marion was born in Montreal, QC, where she spent most of her
growing-up years until the family moved to Belleville, ON. Marion had
an adventuresome spirit and spent summers waitressing at the Banff Springs Hotel, where she met Vic who drove a Brewster bus in Jasper. They married in 1959 in Montreal, where their three children were born. The family resided in London, ON from 1966 to 1976 before moving to Calgary, AB.
Marion attended Belleville Collegiate Institute and Vocational School,
Sir George Williams College and McGill University. While their children were young, Marion chose to be a proud stay-at-home mother, volunteering time at school, church, and community activities. At the Canadian Save the Children Fund (CANSAVE), she served the organization in leadership capacities on local, provincial, national, and international levels.
Once living in Calgary, Marion’s volunteer initiatives included years of cancer work, particularly furthering the causes of breast cancer through the Reach to Recovery program, and prostate cancer. Marion and Vic were instrumental in pressing forward the prostate cancer care offered to all Canadian men through facilities at the London Health Sciences Centre, and the initial formation of what later became the Prostate Cancer Institute of Calgary.
Marion’s experience and skills eventually grew into a business career in the Gift and Tableware Industry, primarily with Danesco Inc and her own company Rogers Agencies. This career took her to many parts of the world on buying trips which she loved. Her innate leadership abilities also propelled her to become the chairperson of six different condo boards and many other positions of responsibility.
Marion’s proudest volunteer achievement was her role as the Volunteer Coordinator for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Arts Festival.
Introducing her family to new experiences was important to Marion, so she and Vic spent ten exciting, educational (and sometimes exhausting!), weeks travelling with their children across Canada in their tent-trailer. They ventured to the East Coast one summer and the West Coast the following summer.
Of all the hats that Marion wore, the one she wore with tremendous pride and joy was that of grandmother, the role one earns after all those years of parenting! She spent her happiest hours with her grandchildren at all stages of their lives. Extra special times were when the « grands » came to her Harvie Heights home for Grandma’s annual Ski Camp or Sewing week.
Marion became known as “Disney Grandma” as she and Vic took joy in taking their grandchildren to Disney World and Disney Cruises. (« No Parents Allowed », as they might dampen our unbridled fun!). Marion and Vic loved supporting their children’s and grandchildren’s interests and introducing them to the world of music and the arts.
Marion valued her friends, near and far, and treasured a piece of Calligraphic Art that read, « My Friends are the Light in the Dark of my Life. » In addition, she deeply loved, and found comfort from, the many pets that became a part of her life over the years.
Marion’s family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude for the outstanding care Marion received from the Wellness Medical Staff and Caregivers at the Manor at Garrison Woods. The extra care and love that all the Manor Staff and Marion’s friends gave her as her health failed was a gift that her family will always remember.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Marion organized a group of walkers from the Manor called the Marda Loopers. Initially started for exercise due to lockdown measures, the group counted their steps as they walked around their neighbourhood, and virtually walked across Canada from coast to coast. Marion met her close friend and companion,
Bob Junker, in 2020; they enjoyed a special relationship over the past two years.
The family also wants to express their profound gratitude for the Canadian Medical Assistance in Dying program, and the Alberta Health Services MAiD team for helping us honour Marion’s wishes to leave this world on her terms, overlooking the mountains and surrounded by family.
Plans for a formal Celebration of Life may be announced at a later date. In the meantime, please take some time to celebrate Marion’s life by doing something fun and special with your family, friends – or pets! Those wishing to make a Memorial Donation are invited to do so, with thanks, at a charity of their choice.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Marion Amy Rogers May 15 1937 Oct 16 2022..
Décès pour la Ville: Banff, Province: Alberta