Cleary, Marion Theresa (née O’Hanley)
January 21st, 2021
1926 – 2021
On Monday, May 10, 1926, Marion Theresa O’Hanley was born to Angus (1882-1935) and Pearl (1885-1953). Raised on the family farm in Bornish, Ontario, with her treasured brother Johnny and her sisters/friends, Claire, Mary, Kay, Jeannie and Margaret. Marion shared many stories over the years of times on the farm and school in Parkhill. With the help of her brother Johnny, who by then was running the family farm, Marion came to London to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She graduated as an RN in 1948, and was very proud of her chosen profession. Marion met Patrick Bernard Cleary (1922-1992) during her time in training and they married on October 23, 1948 after graduation. Soon came their three daughters: Colleen, Patricia and Bette-Anne. Marion and Patrick bought their house on Manitoba Street in 1955, and if those walls could talk…. Many memories were made, friends and family always welcome. Christmases, bridal showers, Easter egg hunts, birthday parties, parties for no reason at all, and countless games of euchre. Marion worked at the London Psychiatric Hospital, where co-workers became close friends. She left the hospital and helped her daughters with childcare before starting work with Nurses Care in 1983. Marion became one of the directors within a few years and this kept her very busy, finding and hiring nurses for much needed in-home care; she was always on the phone. She officially retired from nursing in 1996. Marion was a fantastic Grandma; not your typical Grandma. She had her own style and all the Grandkids had their own special relationship with her. Chad, Johanna, Natalie, Marcia, Ryan and Brent will hold their memories close. Grandma gave no mercy at Scrabble or Cribbage just because you were a kid, “you were learning”, she said. Grandma was not renowned for her cooking, and so, many meals and memories were made at the Del-Mar Restaurant up the street. Marion was the much-loved mother-in-law to William Carlson, Gino Reale and Donald Carlson. Grandmother-in-law to Justin Plet, Greg Mills, Jeff Bouwman and Kristy Carlson. Sister-in-law to Annie O’Hanley, Conrad Eckert and Wallace (Bunt) Davis, Jack and Marie Cleary, Bill and Hazel Cleary, and Jim and Jessie Cleary. Daughter-in-law to Bill and Minnie Cleary. Marion enjoyed and was entertained watching her great-granddaughters Hannah, Brynne, Avery, Irelyn and Harper at play. She was the much-loved “Aunt Mac” to many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews as well. She cherished them all and was very saddened for the ones that were gone too soon. Marion had many cherished friends. People she travelled with, went bowling with, played darts with, important people that she lost along the way. She belonged to the Imperial Veterans – Army, Navy and Air Force #229 Club and was part of the Ladies Auxiliary. She was a competitor, going to provincial championships in both darts and euchre. Marion had beautiful penmanship and kept impeccable records. If any of us want to know when we lost our first tooth or broke a bone, she wrote it all down in one of her journals. On Thursday, January 21, 2021, Marion lost a short battle with COVID-19. At 94 years old, she was just too fragile to fight anymore. She had a fair share of health issues over the years, but like everything else in life, she took it in stride and never, ever complained. A Celebration of Life will take place when COVID-19 restrictions lift.
Marion: daughter, sister, nurse, wife, mother, in-law, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Aunt Mac and friend.
Marion loved all animals and had many fur babies over the years. Therefore, in her memory, please consider donating to the Humane Society London & Middle.
Charitable donations may be made to:
Humane Society London & Middle
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Humane Society London & Middle
Book of Condolences
Karen and Andrew Waller & Marie ClearyOur deepest condolences on the loss of your mom, Colleen, Patricia and Bette-Anne. We do remember many large family gatherings at the home on Manitoba Street, especially at the New Year. What a lovely, large family you have to honour her memory and have some good storytelling, too! Please update us when Bette-Anne travels home. We would all love to see you. Fond memories and lots of love!
Aunt Marie,
Karen, Andy, Brad, Ally and Dan
Anna BrownWill always remember the trips to Florida to visit Aunt Mac and Grandpa, and listening to their banter over the cross word puzzles. She will be missed.
Add Your Condolences
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Cleary Marion Theresa nee O’Hanley January 21st 2021..
Death notice for the town of: London, Province: Ontario