Marjorie Virginia Bilar

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Marjorie (Marj) Bilar on January 26, 2021, at the age of 84 years. Marjorie will be greatly missed by her husband of 62 years, Ted; son Grant (Elaine); daughter Donna-Mae Hall (Darcy); grandchildren, Kallen, Quintin and Gavin Bilar, and Sarah Hall. She will be lovingly remembered by her sisters Vera (Bob Stevenson), Shirley (Allen Burnett), Audrey Bottoroff (Herman Poel); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Anna Liske, step-mother Blanche Liske, and brother-in-law Gordon Bottorff.

Marjorie was born in Lamont, AB on February 2nd, 1936. She went to school in Bruderheim, AB, where her love of playing the piano began. She moved to Scotford, AB (near Fort Saskatchewan) and graduated high school in Fort Saskatchewan in 1953. After finishing high school, she attended the University of Alberta, where she received her Teaching Certificate. Her first teaching job was in Thorsby, where she met the love of her life, Ted. They were married on August 22, 1958, and the family became complete with the birth of their children, Grant and Donna-Mae, in 1961 and 1967. Thorsby remained their family home until Marjorie became a resident of Salem Manor Nursing Home in Leduc, AB, in January of 2019.

Marjorie was active in the community where she: taught piano, led Thorsby’s Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) chapter, and was an active member of the United Church, as well as the church organist/pianist. She enjoyed sharing her love and abilities at the piano/organ with the Thorsby United Church congregation at Sunday worship. Since 2019, Marjorie continued to entertain her family at the Manor, with her ability to make beautiful music.

Marjorie had a passion for teaching, and was always in pursuit of ways of improving the education system. She believed that children required earlier exposure to the school system, and along with her friend Marlene, Marjorie was instrumental in launching a play school program in Thorsby; one that is still in operation today. Marjorie was energized by the concept of life-long learning, and made countless more contributions to education, during her 22 years serving as a School Board Trustee for the Black Gold School Division.

Literacy was also important to Marjorie and its availability to all. She was disturbed by the deficiencies that existed in a lot of the public libraries in the county. Marjorie, along with the Superintendent of the County of Leduc, lobbied the Alberta Department of Education and the Department of Culture for improvements. Their persistence resulted in the forming of the Yellowhead Regional Library System.

Although Marjorie was very active in the community and church, she was equally committed to her family. In her free time, Marjorie loved spending time and welcoming family and friends to their cabin on Pigeon Lake. She also loved travelling and cherished the many exciting trips she and Ted had an opportunity to take. Marjorie loved being a grandmother and cherished the moments she could spend with her grandchildren. She was particularly overjoyed, when she watched all three of her grandsons perform at their band concerts, and when her granddaughter played for her on the harp.

The family extends their sincerest thanks to the staff at Salem Manor Nursing Home for the wonderful care and kindness they provided Marjorie.

In lieu of flowers, because literacy was so important to Marjorie, donations may be made to the Thorsby Municipal Library, or the charity of one’s choice.