Marlene Kril

Marlene was born on December 31, 1937 in Saskatoon, Sk, and passed away peacefully with family surrounding her, on December 19, 2023 at Arrowsmith Lodge, Parksville, BC, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. 

Marlene married John Kril in October of 1955 and is predeceased by John and her parents Marie and Harold Priel.  Marlene is survived by her daughter Kathy Kril (Parksville, BC), son Kurtis Kril (Errington, BC), granddaughter Ellissa White (London, UK) and great granddaughter Ava Marly Bryant, sister-in-law, Mary Olinger (Tampa, FL, USA) and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

She resided in Saskatoon until 2006 when she moved to BC with John to join the rest of her family.  In 2014,  after 8 happy years living amongst her family and beloved pets in South Surrey, BC, she moved to Parksville, BC, Vancouver Island, again joining family, to enjoy the slower pace and mild winters. 

As a uniquely beautiful young woman, Marlene was chosen as runner-up to Miss Saskatoon in 1954 - but her deepest passion was not outer beauty, but her devotion to caring for and rescuing pets, of which she had many - that was her real beauty. This kindness and passion eventually became her livelihood.  Marlene, as a progressive and driven woman for her time, started and sold 2 separate and successful “dog and cat grooming businesses ” which she ran for 20+ years.  She was respected and known in her community where she connected with many people who brought their furry family members for their “beauty treatment”.  Her reputation was built on kindness towards animals and people trusted her.

In her spare time, her passion for animals also shined through in the showing of champion Afghan hounds and Siamese cats, most of the time accompanied by her granddaughter Ellissa.  For over 25 years, many memories were made spending summers at our lakefront cabin at Sunnyside Beach, Emma Lake.  She was an extremely fashionable woman, maintaining beauty and style throughout her life.  This style extended to her choice in music - her favourite artists included ABBA, Neil Diamond, Elvis and Cat Stevens.  She also enjoyed playing music on the piano and organ.  Marlene and John were great dancers. 

Marlene was extremely loving, generous, caring and supportive of her family and was fiercely devoted and actively involved in all of our lives throughout.  The family would regularly gather on Sundays to cook an abundance of delicious food.  Some of the most cherished memories were made on these days. 

Marlene, as the matriarch of the family, will be remembered for everything she gave to her family and friends.  She was deeply loved by the people who knew her -  for her patience, charm and class, wry sense of humour, devotion to nurturing animals and overall, her genuinely kind and generous soul.  She will be sorely missed. 

Marlene will be interred at Woodlawn Cemetery Saskatoon, Sk, in Spring/Summer 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Arrowsmith Lodge at https://arrowsmithlodge.ca/donate/