Marion Frances Day (nee Osbourne)
June 2, 1944 – February 12, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marion Frances Day (nee Osbourne) who died tragically at Carbonear General Hospital on Friday, February 12, 2021 at age 76.
Predeceased by her son, Ernest Todd; parents, Marion and William Chipman and Rita and Thomas Osbourne; and siblings, Vivian, Rita, William, Levi, Verna, Evelyn, Ruby, Maxine, and Paul.
Leaving to mourn are her loving husband of almost 60 years, Ernest Day; children, Debbie (Terry) and Sandy (Dawn); grandchildren, Karen (Jason), Candace (Bradley), and Alexander (Lindsay); great grandchildren, Casey, Anna, Claire, and Elizabeth; siblings, Doreen, Stella, June, and Shirley; nieces, nephews, and cousins; and countless other family and friends who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Marion was born into tragic circumstances on June 2, 1944, with her own mother passing away due to complications from her birth. She was raised by her grandparents and aunt and uncle in Blaketown, NL. It was the love and care of her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins (who became siblings) that shaped her into the loving caring person she was. And we are all eternally grateful, as her love will echo through all future generations.
On April 12, 1961, Marion married Ernest Day and moved to Old Shop where she started a family of her own. Despite having more than her fair share of hardships, she endured, and chose to continually love and care for others. She raised her own daughter and son but didn’t stop parenting once they were grown.
Becoming a grandmother at 40, Marion continued to raise children. She was “Nanny Day” to three biological grandchildren and “Nanny France” to every other child in her life. She was the ever-reliable caregiver, confidant, advisor, Sunday dinner cooker, two-dollar bill giver, and free taxi driver. She was the soft place to land for many who needed a compassionate ear, a hug and kiss, or a hand to hold.
Marion said her two-cents worth. She didn’t know what a poker face was and didn’t care to have one. If you lost or gained weight, she felt it her duty to point it out. She loved flowers, Conway Twitty, Amazing Grace, ice cold water, Crush soda, scratch tickets, saucy cats, and scolding you for not visiting more often. She hated every picture that was ever taken of her. And no matter how hard we tried, she never seemed to truly understand how much she was loved.
Marion happily took on the role of caregiver to the sick and stood vigil at many bedsides. She had a strong faith in the Lord and spent many hours praying for the health of others. End of life rituals were important. She believed strongly in the celebration of life and the peace of being welcomed into the arms of the Lord.
As fate would have it, she did not get the end of life she wanted. There was no family present when she died and she will not have the wake, funeral, or burial she deserves. It’s easy to feel anger and helplessness, as we struggle to cope with our grief. Luckily, Marion still guides us. She regularly read newspaper obituaries and clipped verses she liked. She kept one in particular so that it could be included in her own obituary, somehow knowing we would need to hear it:
Please don’t sing sad songs for me,
forget your grief and fears;
For I am in a perfect place,
away from pain and tears ….
I’m far away from hunger,
and hurt, and want, and pride;
I have a place in heaven,
with the Master at my side.
My life on earth was very good,
as earthly lives can go;
But Paradise is so much more,
than anyone can know.
My heart is filled with happiness,
and sweet rejoicing; too,
To walk with God is perfect peace,
a joy forever new.
May she finally be at peace, held in the arms of her mother; and feel the love she had on earth, now that she is in heaven.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Marion’s memory may be made to the SPCA (spcastjohns.org).
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Warren’s Funeral Home, Dildo.
To send a message of condolence or to sign the online memorial guest book, please visit www.warrensfuneralhome.ca.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Marion Frances Day (nee Osbourne), please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marion Frances Day nee Osbourne June 2 1944 February 12 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Swift-Current, Province: Saskatchewan