Marion Pamela Slemon McDermott

February 10, 1915 - April 27, 2016

Marion Pamela (Slemon) McDermott, affectionately known as "Marnie" passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 with

loving family at her side in her San Antonio home. Marnie was 101.

Marnie was the widow of both Royal Canadian Air Marshal C. Roy Slemon, and U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Robert F. McDermott.

Marnie was born on February 10, 1915 in Enniskillen, Ontario, Canada, one of four children born to Dr. Cyrus and Edith Slemon. Her father was the now mythical country doctor who visited his patients in their homes, traveling by carriage or sled, often with Marnie at his side.

At 19 Marnie married Flight Lieutenant Roy Slemon, an

original in the Royal Canadian Air Force who commanded the RCAF Bomber Command 6 Group in World War II, and who subsequently became Chief of the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ottawa. Thereafter, Air Marshal Slemon served as the

Canadian Deputy Commander in Chief of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) in Colorado Springs during the cold war, and during his command was credited with averting World War III with the Soviets. As Canada's senior military wife in the United States, Marnie's elegant presence resulted in deep and lasting friendships. After Roy's retirement, the Slemon family remained and shared a wonderful life in Colorado Springs. Roy Slemon died in 1992. Marnie continued to live in their home in Broadmoor Heights, and her loving family gathered there at every possible occasion.

During their time in Colorado Springs, Marnie and Roy

Slemon had become friends with General McDermott, when "McD" was the Dean of the USAF Academy. After the death of their beloved spouses, Marnie and McD renewed their friendship, and married in the Academy Chapel on August 6, 1994. Marnie moved to San Antonio with McD who was the CEO of the USAA Insurance Company at the time.

General McDermott died in 2006. Marnie remained in San Antonio among people she had grown to love. She continued to return home to Colorado Springs at every opportunity to spend time with her family and friends.

Marnie shared her warm strength with these two remarkable men of the "Greatest Generation" with elegance, grace,

enthusiasm, courage and love. The Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force eloquently summarized Marnie's

contributions in a personal letter to her on her 100th birthday: