Marie Isabelle HARDING

JANUARY 5, 1918 - DECEMBER 14, 2013

Marie Isabelle Harding (nee Stinson), beloved Mom, Grand and Great Grandmother was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and throughout her early years lived in a succession of small towns and on farms throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.  She met and married Phillip Rooney, son of the local pharmacist/optometrist, in Swift Current in 1939 and raised children Shawn, Philip Jr. (Paddy), Shannon and Debra.  Throughout her years in Saskatchewan she was active in Lion's Ladies, Swift Current Ladies Curling Club, Little Theatre and Beta Sigma Phi.  When not displaying her ability to tap dance and play the kazoo, Mom was frequently the MC at the Lion's Ladies shows and skits.  She liked to sew too, so when not taking a part in one of the Little Theatre plays, she was in charge of costumes.  Mom placed great value on education, and encouraged and was proud of her four children as we pursued higher education and obtained professional degrees.  As we left the nest one by one to colleges and universities, Mom had more leisure time.  She had grown up with horses and she could now get one of her own again and so for several years she got to do something she had loved dearly as a girl; ride a horse.

Mom worked as a secretary for many years in Swift Current before she moved to BC in 1974, where she was employed at Royal Jublilee Hospital. With her marriage to Dave Harding in 1979 her working career ended as she began a new chapter in her long life, one of adventurous travels to New Zealand, Galapagos and Australia.  (She especially liked to remind people of the fact that she climbed Ayers Rock before it was closed to tourists).  Annual trips to Arizona allowed her to enjoy the climate and camaraderie of other snowbirds.  In her retirement, Mom rediscovered her creative bent; writing.  As one of her manuscripts ("Mangled Myths") went the rounds of several publishers including the CBC, Mom liked to say "I'm a professional writer and I have the rejections slips to prove it".

Dedicated impulse buyer, devoted cat-lover, saver of plastic containers and rescuer of bedraggled plants that rarely flourished, Mom spent her last years in Port Alberni, BC.  She was a small town girl at heart, who loved her last home close to family and friends.

Marie is survived by her sons Shawn (Seiglinde), Paddy (Audrey), and daughters Shannon and Debra (Joan), 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marie's memory and sent to:

              Heritage Place Tenants Council

              4200 A Tenth Avenue,

              Port Alberni, BC     V9Y 4X3