Marion Maude Barisoff

Marion, later known as Mom, Grandma, Baba and Gigi was born on October 11, 1933 to Charles and Maude Graves in Armstrong, BC. Unfortunately her mother passed away 11 days after her birth. Her sister Laura quit school at the age of 13 to look after Marion and four other siblings. Marion was the youngest of 14 children and during those years growing up on the family farm Marion was also looked out for by Mrs. Shepherd who left a loving imprint on her life. In her early teens Marion found her way to Vancouver and worked as a Nanny for a Banker and his family. Marion had hopes to further her education in Vancouver but was called back to the family farm to help out.

At the age of 16 Marion met Michael Spelay in Enderby, BC and they married the following year going on to have four children, Chuck, Darrell, Janice and Carolin. Married life started in Salmon Arm with moves to Vancouver and Armstrong and then back to Salmon Arm where they permanently settled. Sadly at the young age of 33 Marion became a widow with four children to support. Fortunately she was able to find work first at the local Salmon Arm Hardware Store and then at Derkaz Shoes. A few years later Marion decided to go back to school in Kelowna and moved the family to Winfield. It was there that she met her second husband Bill Barisoff whom she married in 1973. In 1974 they welcomed a daughter, Natasha and shortly thereafter moved from Winfield to the Slocan Valley. Years later Marion followed Natasha to Campbell River to be closer to her two youngest grandchildren Matthew and Tyler.

Marion's life was that of a survivor but she never lost her sense of humour along the way. She loved nothing better than a get-together to dance, laugh and have a good time.

In her final years at Discovery Harbour Marion kept the staff in stitches with her sense of humour and sassy remarks.

Marion is survived by her children, Chuck, Darrell, Janice, Carolin and Natasha as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.