Erma Margaret Siegman Marshall

Some one once said -- Death is simply a shedding of the physical body like the butterfly shedding its cocoon. It is a transition to a higher state of consciousness where you continue to perceive, to understand, to laugh, and to be able to grow. 

We believe as her grandchildren that every person in their own unique way, creates a legacy in their lifetime by which others can live long after that person has left us. For those of us who remain, Nana has truly created a legacy to uphold and fulfill in our daily lives. We firmly believe that this carrying out is a true honour and responsibility by means of the various facets that Nana has made her own.

Love: Above all, our Nana is a figure of unconditional love. Love was the major fabric by which she created her tapestry of life. In the raising of her own children, the teachings of her grandchildren, and in how she welcomed in new family and friends. Her unconditional strong love is what has made our family what it is today and what will keep us together from this day forward.

Spirit: Our Nana, is a true woman of faith. For as far back as I can remember, our Nana has been a conveyor of the word of God in developing her family and living her daily life. Never would she miss a Sunday to share the word and love of God. As time moves forward not all of God’s children remain strong enough as before to lead his flock. Nor can all of God’s choir continue to sing quite as loudly as they always have. This is the time when the Lord takes them into his hands to rest their souls as he has now done with Nana. Make no mistake, however, as the legacy of spirit that she has created in all of us will continue to live on.

Family: Our Nana truly defined the word family as we have come to learn and live it. Holidays and family gatherings were the celebrations they were because they were surrounded by Nana’s love. I have watched family such as Micheal and Matthew become amazing family men because of traditions instilled by their Nana. I have also seen my mother Paula – raise three beautiful children by the love and traditions passed down from Nana. It’s the family traditions Nana instilled that has made me the woman I am today.

Integrity: Another element of the legacy that Nana has left is that of integrity. Nana bestowed such a high level of importance to honesty that it made it impossible for any of her children or grandchildren to act otherwise. Just when you would think that something might pass Nana by she’d have a quick comeback such as, “You might think this old lady can’t remember but I do!” And it’s true – Nana always did indeed know.

Beauty: My Nana was concerned with beauty in all aspects. I know a lot of you have worn her creations, and you have seen firsthand how she can transform a roll of wool into mittens, socks or a sweater, or cloth into some of the most amazing quilts for each and everyone of her children and grandchildren. She loved to surround herself with beauty. She also strived to stay beautiful inside and out. She somehow even after a harrowing day she would take a few minutes to look her best even if it was just to run to the grocery store or to take the garbage out. She even had to have her hair done to go have surgery. That’s our Nana, always beautiful.

Generosity: Her generosity with her time, her energy, her advice and especially her baking was spread to a remarkable number of people. Over the years, I’ve heard many stories of the friends, relatives, neighbours, and even strangers to whom my nana provided her baking. All of her baking was amazing especially apple crisp, butter tarts, coffee cake, hot cross buns and cheese cakes. The one thing she was not so great at baking was the meringue for lemon meringue pie. She was famous for burning it every time. She would assign Kirsti & Matthew as the meringue watchers to sit in front of the oven and let her know when it was done this was the only way to ensure it turned out. We can all thank her for those couple of extra pounds we have been meaning to loose.

It is all of these elements love, spirit, family integrity, beauty and generosity that are fabrics by which Nana created her tapestry of life. However each us knew her, Erma, Nana, Mom, or Gigi, she has also always been a child of God and now stands beside him to make sure that we all carry forth all of that which she has taught us.

Nana, you have been more to us than you can possibly imagine. Whatever the distance would be geographically between us, you can look down upon us from heaven and know that we personally accept the incredible honour and responsibility of carrying on your traditions and love in all that we do. Nana, you have created your own dynamic legacy of love, spirit, family, integrity, beauty and generosity. It is now your time to rest, sit back in that big cozy armchair which is now heaven for you, have a drink of wine because it is happy hour somewhere, and know that the world is a better place for the legacy you’ve created. If anyone in the world deserves a halo and a pair of snow white wings, it would be our Nana. I know that if Nana were with us now, she would want us to take the focus off of her and put it on us.  She would not want us to focus on the sadness of her death, but instead look at the happiness we still have in our lives.  She would want us to look at each other and appreciate what we have together and what we hope to make better.

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MARSHALL, Erma (Siegman) – It is with immense heartache and sadness that we announce that our mom has gone to be with her Lord and Saviour with her family by her side on Saturday, February 26, 2011 in her 83rd year. Beloved wife of the late Donald. Dear mother of Bruce (JoAnne), Kieth (Mena), Paula Chandler (Shane), Kevin and Donnie Jr. (Debbie). Proud Nana of Michael Marshall (Stephanie) and Matthew Marshall (Lindsey), Kirsti Medgalia (Carmen), Kellyn Chandler (Lisa), Tiana Chandler (Joe), Melissa O’Hara (Doug), Michelle Burton, Celina Salucci (Matt) and Jonathan Marshall, Bryann and Mitchell Nicolle, Amanda and Jeffery Marshall. Great Nana of Michael Jr. and Austin, Taylor, Xavier and Kayla, Alyvia and Graison, Madison and Mason. Daughter of the late Erwin and Leah Siegman. Sister of Leo Siegman (Ann), Eileen Sharp (Sam), Roy Siegman (Dolores) and the late Bill Siegman. Sister in law of Dorothy McQueen (late Ken), Betty Demour (late Ron), Kenny Marshall (Jean), late Paul Marshall (late Jackie), late Audrey Siegman, late Floyd Marshall (Elva). Special friend of Renate Doran and the late Gloria Kitts and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mom worked as a Nurses Aid at the Plummer Hospital. She was also a Bell Telephone operator, a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the ELW. She was a life member of the Lady’s of the Royal Purple. Friends may call at the Zion Lutheran Church on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 from 11 am until time of the funeral service at 1 pm. Rev. Paul Raappana officiating. Memorial contributions to the Zion Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre 705-759-2522.