Frances Marian Overend Roberts

Marian died peacefully at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, Ontario, on Saturday March 9, 2013, after surgery performed on March 5, her 93rd birthday, for a broken hip suffered on March 3 at her home at Park Place Manor in Aurora, Ontario. Marian was the widow of William D. Roberts CA, FICA (deceased 1992), whom she met and married as a British RAF officer during World War II, and the mother of her only child, Ken Roberts of King City, Ontario.

Marian was born in Kincardine in 1920 to Reverend Frederick Overend and Annie Overend (nee Broughton), and was the younger sister of the late Dr. Fred Overend, all of Hamilton. She trained as a nurse at Hamilton General Hospital, nursing in Hamilton and Toronto, enjoying her profession and her years at Toronto Western Hospital, and spent her summers from childhood on at Bruce Beach near Kincardine, Ontario. She was a longtime member of the Islington Golf Club and the Royal York Road United Church, Etobicoke, and loved bridge, sewing, detective novels and West Highland white terriers. She volunteered for years with Meals on Wheels and other church organizations. Marian made friends easily, loved to help others and to solve their problems, and was a favourite resident with the fine staff at Park Place Manor, where she resided and dined in good company for a very happy last 5 years. She was a devoted and proud grandmother to Will, Virginia and Mary Roberts and the best mother in law ever to Anne Roberts (nee Clendenning). She will be especially missed by her nephew David Overend and his wife Nancy of Stony Creek, Ontario and Bruce Beach, and by their children Julie and Ian and their families; and also leaves her dear nephew George Overend and his wife Annie and their 3 children of St. Andrews, Scotland, as well as her late husband’s brother Ken Roberts, his wife Sylvia and their son Bryan Roberts and his wife Julie and son Luke, all of England. She was an honorary grandmother to Anne’s nieces and nephews, the children of Bob Clendenning now of Greenbank, Ontario. She had many friends, old nursing classmates, especially Esther Gray of Hudson, Ohio, and extended family members of the Overend, Broughton and related clans, all kept close by her social gifts and admirable drive. She regretted nothing in her past except the early loss of her husband Bill. She was stoic, independent and graceful facing her various challenges. Thanks are due to Dr. Chris Pinto, Dr. Nathoo, Dr. Rogakou, the ‘wonderful’ healthcare workers of Southlake MSK unit and especially the many affectionate staff of Park Place, and to Monica McGhie for loving kindnesses over the years. A Memorial Service will be held at the Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00am. Memorial donations to Southlake Regional Health Centre would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.thompsonfh-aurora.com. Please RSVP your attendance to Mrs. Robert’s memorial service at 905-727-5421.