Marcella Florence Sarkissian

Marcella grew up in Barry’s Bay, Ontario. She graduated in 1965 with a teaching degree from Carlton University in Ottawa. Marcella completed her formal education in 1993 when she earned her Master’s degree at the University of Victoria.

Early on, Marcella’s teaching career took her to several different communities across the country, including Ottawa, Portage La Prairie, and Dartmouth. In 1968, she secured a teaching position at Colquitz School in Victoria, where she taught until 1972. From there she transferred to Mt. Douglas Secondary where she taught mathematics until her retirement in 1999. As a teacher she was firm but fair. Students respected her for this straightforward approach.

Marcella met her husband Ted, at a dance held at the Esquimalt Legion and they married soon thereafter, in 1979

When Ted retired in 2001, they chose to start their retirement with a trip to New Zealand. They fell in love with the country, so much so that they returned each year for the next twenty years, until the pandemic prevented them from continuing this tradition.

Marcella and Ted formed many lifelong friendships through their travels to New Zealand, both with New Zealanders as well as with other returning visitors from Canada. New Zealand truly became a second home.

Marcella enjoyed travelling and she was able to see many parts of the world during her lifetime, including parts of Europe, Great Britain, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

Marcella lived a very active lifestyle. She took up golf in the mid 1980’s, becoming a member at the Gorge Vale Golf Club. While she enjoyed the competition, she was attracted by the camaraderie, and she was grateful for the lasting friendships established at the golf club. Golf also provided opportunities for travel. A highlight was a trip to Muirfield, Scotland, in 2002 to watch the British Open. She was actively involved in a walking group, and she was an avid skier. Marcella coaxed Ted into taking up skiing, and over the years, they skied at many locations in North America. While Whistler was a preferred destination, the highlight ski vacation was a trip to Austria and Switzerland.

When Marcella retired from teaching, she worked as a volunteer at Aberdeen Hospital for ten years. True to her nature, she enjoyed helping others. She was kind and compassionate.

Marcella was predeceased by her parents, Anton and Helen Matsalla and her stepfather Frank Kern.

Marcella will be sorely missed by her husband Ted, and his extended family. Marcella is also survived by her brother, Stan Kern, and his family in Kincardine, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC Cancer Agency in Marcella’s memory would be greatly appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the Sarkissian family.