Marian Owens

With her loving daughter, Carolyn and son-in-law David by her side, Marian passed peacefully. Marian’s mind remained remarkably sharp for her age of 98, right up until the end. Just two days before her passing, Marian was blessed to share a special bedside conversation with her granddaughter Sarah (née Eagles) Letourneau and beloved great-granddaughters Amaya and Dylan, grandson-in-law, Tyler Letourneau and son-in-law David Eagles. Family meant everything to Marian and being surrounded by those she deeply loved in her final days was a true blessing.

Marian is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Carolyn Jean and her husband David Eagles, granddaughter, Sarah Jean (Letourneau), husband, Tyler Letourneau, granddaughters, Amaya Joy and Dylan Jean; sisters, Gretchen Ward and Caroline Johnston, her brother, Bruce Antliff, and numerous nieces and nephews. Marian was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Bill Owens and son, David.

Marian was born on March 11, 1928, in Montreal, Quebec. She moved shortly thereafter, with her parents Will and Greta Antliff to Toronto, Ontario. Music entered Marian’s life at an early age. She learned to play the piano and at the age of 16, began voice lessons. Following graduation, Marian joined the renowned Leslie Bell Singers to begin a professional singing career.

During the summers from 1947 to 1952, Marian served as music counsellor at a camp in Algonquin Park in northern Ontario.

Naturally, wherever Marian went, music followed. While at the camp she produced the operetta H.M.S. Pinafore, by Gilbert and Sullivan. Marian continued her voice studies while attending Normal School to become a teacher in 1949. Marian began her teaching career at Whitney Elementary school in Toronto, where her gifts as both teacher and musician became evident.

In 1950, Marian experienced a moment that would shape the rest of her life. While attending Bloor Street United Church, Marian heard a soloist sing, Hear My Prayer. Marian then accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour, and from that time forward, her Christian faith became the foundation of everything she did in her life.

Two weeks after, Marian met her future husband and love of her life, Bill Owens from Kamloops, B.C. Marian and Bill were married in Toronto in 1953, before driving west across Canada to begin their life together in Kamloops, B.C.

Although there were no music teaching positions available in the city when Marian arrived, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Sixth Avenue was in need of a music director and pianist. Marian had found yet another place to apply her gifts.

Marian taught Grade 2 at Allan Matthews Elementary school, providing music instruction to other classes as well. Her first school operetta in Kamloops was Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In 1954, Marian began what would become an extraordinary chapter in music education within Kamloops, when she joined Kamloops Senior Secondary School — Kamloops High. From 1954 to 1958, Marian taught Grades 7 and 8 Music, senior Choral Music and Drama.

Over the years, Marian became the artistic and music director for numerous staged productions, including four Gilbert and Sullivan operettas: The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore and Patience. Marian established the Kam High Girls’ Glee Club and a mixed secondary school choir. When drama teacher Tom Kerr arrived at Kam High, together he and Marian began a wonderful creative partnership. Together, they collaborated on more than eight Broadway musicals and Gilbert and Sullivan productions, continuing well into the 1970’s.

Marian’s influence extended far beyond Kam High. During the 60s and 70s Marian taught music at John Peterson Junior Secondary, MacArthur Park Junior High and several Kamloops elementary schools, while continuing her direction of the Girls’ Glee Club, Mixed Choir and senior high choral music classes.

In 1966, a group of Marian’s graduating senior students told her they wanted to continue to sing together after graduation. From that desire, the Alumni Choir was born. In 1967, the choir became known as the New Century Singers.

In 1967, Marian and husband Bill purchased a small cottage at Cedar Villas, on Shuswap Lake. The lake became one of Marian’s favourite places on Earth. Many years after owning several cottages and having built a house on the North Shuswap, their years together brought them back to live in Kamloops. Her heart has never really left the lake.

In 1971, Marian began teaching a Grade 2 class and school-wide music at Beattie Elementary. She also taught Band and classroom music at George Slater Elementary at the same time — bringing the music of Gilbert and Sullivan to young performers with an elementary-scale production of H.M.S. Pinafore. Throughout these years, Marian continued directing the New Century Singers.

The fall of 1974 saw Marian found and direct the Kamloops Youth Choir. Marian served as music coordinator for School District 24, (now School District 73). There, she helped to foster music education throughout the school district. The New Century Singers later became known as Choristers 24, reflecting Marian’s desire to encourage teachers to experience the joy of choral singing.

When music educator, John White became the new School District 73 music coordinator, Marian passed the directorship to him, and the choir eventually became known as the Kamloops Choristers.

In 1976, Marian served on the inaugural Kamloops Symphony board, where she was responsible for Ways and Means.

In 1980, Marian took leave from her position as SD73 music coordinator to return to one of the things she most-loved — teaching music to children. Marian taught music in a half-time position at Aberdeen Elementary school and continued to contribute to musical organizations throughout Kamloops.

During the 1980’s, Marian presented music workshops across the province, devoting considerable time to teaching the Kodály approach to music education. Marian served as president of the Yale Cariboo Music Festival, which later became know as Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts. She was also music director for productions of the Kamloops Operatic Society.

From 1983 to 1984, Marian directed the Kamloops Honours Youth Choir. Marian officially retired from School District 73 in 1985, but for Marian, retirement never meant being retired from music.

In 1988, Marian and Bill moved from Kamloops to the North Shuswap — having built a beautiful home on the lake that they loved so dearly. Marian became a pianist and choir director at North Shuswap Christian Fellowship Church. Even while living at the Shuswap Lake, Marian regularly commuted to Kamloops to accompany her daughter’s elementary school choirs.

When the Kamloops Preparatory Choir was formed in 1977— with her daughter Carolyn directing — Marian was once again at the piano accompanying young singers. Marian became deeply involved in planning the 2004 Kamloops Secondary School Centennial Homecoming. And of course, Marian formed a choir for that event. The Choir of the Century, appropriately brought together nearly 100 singers. Even well into her golden years, Marian seemed incapable of sitting still, when there was music to be shared.

From 2005 onward, Marian brought sing-alongs to as many as 10 Kamloops seniors residences, leading Hymn Sings at three residences, providing lunch- and dinner-time music at other residences. For years, Marian at times had three musical activities booked on her calendar in a single day. Marian researched hundreds of songs to create and print Sing-Along books for these gatherings to help residents read the larger print songs. Marian enjoyed accompanying the Kamloops Silver Bell Singers, now known as the Jewel Tones.

For many years, Mondays and Wednesdays saw Marian playing duplicate bridge at Heritage House with longtime friends. When Marian relaxed at home, she loved doing puzzles — often completing them in one day. Marian treasured coffee visits with friends and her former students. She delighted in receiving telephone calls from family, friends and countless students whose lives had crossed with hers. They were always “my kids” to Marian.

Across the decades, former students continued to stop her to talk, call her up to tell her just what she has meant to them. Of all her accomplishments and honours, those relationships were among the things she treasured the most — impacting the lives of others. Marian received numerous honours and musical recognition awards throughout her lifetime, yet she remained humbled by them. Marian believed the musical gifts she had been given, came from God, and were meant to be shared with others. Above all else, Marian’s faith was her rock. She trusted God with every part of her life, and lived with tremendous joy. Her family, her students, her choirs and her music were all woven into her walk with the Lord. Marian relied upon His wisdom and guidance during her life, believing that God had richly blessed her through the people and opportunities that music had brought into her life.

Marian’s final illness came very quickly and unexpectedly. Admitted to Royal Inland Hospital, Marian’s health declined rapidly over the course of five days. She died peacefully with family by her side.

Her family is deeply grateful to the nurses and doctors who cared for her with such kindness and compassion. There truly are angels among us on the 7th Floor of the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower at RIH. A special thank-you to Ashley and her colleagues for the extraordinary care they gave Marian and her family during her final days.

After 98 years filled with faith, family, teaching, friendships, and an extraordinary amount of music — Marian’s earthly song has ended — but, the music she created continues on in the lives of generations of students, singers, colleagues, friends and family. And for Marian, the song continues.

A Celebration of Marian’s Life will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at 1975 Summit Dr., Summit Drive Church.

Should friends desire, donations can be made in Marian’s memory, to The Mustard Seed, and would be gratefully appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service.