Marion (Atkin) Fuglem

Marion passed away in Prince George, BC at PG Rotary House Hospice on July 28th, 2025, after a lengthy battle with cancer. First diagnosed in 2023 then deemed terminal in November of 2024 she surprised doctors and nurses with her sheer will to live. After 3 visits to hospice, she gave us so much more time than we could have hoped for. She said she had much to live for and “Did the best that she could for as long as she could.” A moto she lived by.

Before a short summary of Marion’s life, the family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care she received at the Family Practice Office of Drs Tammy Attia, Kahlen Geddes and Ester Warkentine. We cannot thank them enough for the quality care she received in her later years. We are thankful and grateful for your dedication to her comfort and care. In addition, we wish to thank the many Nurses, Care Aids, Administration and Volunteers who run the PG Hospice Rotary House at 3089 Clapperton Street, Pr. George. Their patience, understanding, kindness and care made her last months as comfortable as possible for both her and our family, and we are forever grateful. The family requests if you wish to honour Marion’s memory you might make a donation to PGRHH; you can go in person, or mail V2L 5N4 or online at https://pghpcs.ca/care/the-hospice-house/.

Marion is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Gail, Carol (Norm Brown), Helen (Tony Mamic), Gwen (Tony Tomra) her Grandchildren Richard, Dezeray (Dustin), Danielle (Dustin), Tiffany (Colbert), Alauna (Shane), Camron (Sydney) and her cherished great grandchildren Jesse, Griffin, Sigmund, Azalea, Iris, and Ashe. She is also survived by her only direct relatives in England; Nephew Trevor (Sherry), Niece Sue (Dave), Nephew Jonathan (Angela), great nieces Amy (Dan), Clare (Lauri), Pheobe & Toby and great, greats Evelyn, Alfred and Kit. She was predeceased by her husband Lloyd Fuglem of 58 years, parents John and Alice Atkin, Brother John Atkin, Sister-in-Law Norma Atkin and countless In Laws on Lloyd’s side of the family (too numerous to name but dearly remembered).

Her service was held at Blackburn Community Hall, August 14th at 1:00 pm and was attended by over 120 people. It started with a eulogy performed by two of her granddaughters, Alauna Walker and Dezeray Hedstrom. Jacqueline Sieben read Psalm 23 which was followed by a 15 minute slide show of Marion’s life. Family and friends gathered afterward for a light afternoon tea of sandwiches and her favourite cream filled cookies. The outpouring of love and sympathy the family has received speaks volumes of how loved she was. Across countless messages a shared portrait of Marion emerges of one of a truly extraordinary woman. She was described time and time again as amazing, wonderful and special.

Marion was cremated at Fraserview Crematorium and her interment will be September 28th at the Loos Cemetery. It will be an informal family affair due in part to the location and lack of amenities.

Marion was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England on December 6th, 1933. She was raised through WWII, finished her grade 13 equivalencies, then set out to travel in Canada. She made Vancouver her home at age 23 where she met, then married Lloyd Clarence Fuglem in her hometown of Leeds. Except for some short-term residence in Nanaimo, BC, the couple made Prince George their forever home.

Marion’s biggest success and challenge in life was being wife to Lloyd. She was a devoted wife, at his side in all his shenanigans, interests, careers and in his last years of life at Simon Fraser Lodge where he succumbed to Alzheimer's.

Her daughters would say her most significant achievement in life, was being a mother. She raised four girls {the first born nine months after their marriage} the next 3 coming 2 years apart thereafter. She managed family and career with incredible resilience. Marion was dedicated to her girls. As primary care provider she helped with schoolwork, encouraged extra curricular team and group activities and drove countless miles to get them to practices, games, and gatherings. Spreading her time as equally as she could throughout their teens as a working mom, she was a patient, loving, and thoughtful mother who supported their interests which were as varied as the girls themselves.

Her interests in life also were varied. She sewed clothes for herself and her girls right up to their high school graduation. Her residences were surrounded by flower beds. She maintained a vegetable garden at two locations, and canned. She embraced the country living so different from her upbringing in England. She rode horseback into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on several occasions. She enjoyed dancing and old country music. She tackled archery and enjoyed girl time at the bowling ally. She braved life on a small commercial fishing boat through high tides, and tight schedules (juggling deckhands in summer [their daughters]). She could knit, crocheted and did other crafts in down time in the winter. She was an avid baker with many a favourite recipe on hand in a hand written roll-a-dex. In her later years she was proficient in online grocery shopping and Facebook. She was quite tech savvy for a 91-year-old.

While living on Giscome Road, she was a pillar in the Blackburn Community alongside Lloyd advocating for many good causes. They saw success in their efforts in the paving of a sidewalk down Bonnet Hill, the fundraising and building of the Blackburn Community Hall then the addition of Blackburn Heritage House. She was recognized by the City of Prince George for her contributions to community service specifically in the Blackburn Community.

She was a competent, successful bookkeeper for several different companies, throughout her working career but it was her last job where she felt most appreciated, with accolades and bonuses when she retired from Joe Martin and Sons. She was a capable, reliable worker who was appreciated and greatly missed.

Her moto, do the best you can for as long as you can, rang true her whole life. Camping and the outdoors were a means to inexpensive vacations. She treasured her family but made lifelong friendships through her interests and associations with neighbours, community and the Fuglem Clan. Her contributions to organizing and planning Fuglem Family Reunions was evidence of her love of her extended family, hers so few and far away in England.

In her retirement years Lloyd and Marion traveled. They went across Canada in their RV, went a few times to England, once to Australia, spent a winter in Yuma Arizona and took a cruise to Alaska, besides the many road trips within the province.

When they sold their home on Giscome Road and moved into a condo it was in preparation for the onset of Lloyd’s Alzheimer’s.

This would be a very sad chapter in her life. But the joys of witnessing 3 grandchildren’s weddings and the meeting of 4 new great grandchildren reaching a total of 6 was the balance. Family was her absolute treasure, and she would do anything for them. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light in her life in her late years. It broke her heart when she wasn’t able to get down on the floor and just play with them. They were her greatest joy.

May she rest in peace.