Athelia Elizabeth Marshall

How can we sum up nearly 103 years of life?

Athelia was born at home on July 26th in the summer of 1913 on the prairies of Alberta near Czar to parents Ernest and Nellie Holford. The family, including big sister, Elsie, lived in a sod barn until their house was constructed.

Athelia was not a healthy child so when she was 10 years old her parents decided to move to Burton, a small farming community on the Arrow Lakes in BC. Her Dad drove the horses and livestock overland from Alberta while she, mother and her siblings including a younger brother, Aubrey, travelled by train to Revelstoke and the paddle wheeler SS Minto to Burton.

Athelia married Clark Marshall whose family pioneered in Burton. They married in 1932 during the depression and had to borrow $50 to travel to Nelson to be married. This union lasted for 68 years until Clark’s death in 2000.

Athelia had a tremendous love of family and was protective towards all her children who include Ken Marshall (Marilyn), Lorne Marshall (Janice), Barbara Holmstrom (Bob), Sandra Turner (Barry), Stuart Marshall (Kelly) and Roger Marshall (Trish).

Athelia was predeceased by her infant daughter, Myrna, in 1937, a tragedy that she carried in her heart all her life.

Clark and Athelia lived and worked in the Kootenays until 1953 when they decided to sell their post office/general store/café and move to Vernon to provide a better quality of life for their growing children.

Athelia was not afraid of hard work, never flinched at whatever the task and set high standards for herself and her family. She was an excellent cook and made fabulous huckleberry pies, loved to knit and do crosswords until her vision failed, was a canny scrabble player, enjoyed playing cards especially rummy, and loved to spend time at the cabin in Burton which she continued to drive to from Vernon until she was 92 and decided to give up her driver’s license.

Her legacy is a large one as she is survived by 6 children, 16 grandchildren, 21 great- great -grandchildren, her brother Clare Holford and many nieces and nephews.

In her own words she was a very determined person and her strength and love will remain forever in our hearts and minds.

Athelia passed away on June 23, 2016 surrounded by her sons and the love of family while the 121 Psalm was read by Ken.

A service will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church at 3:00 pm on July 7th.

We would like to thank the staff at Creekside Landing for their excellent care and compassion for Mom in her last days and a special thank you to Reverend Teresa Charlton for her comforting words and prayers.

Rest now,

Arrangements under the direction of Vernon Funeral Home, Vernon, BC.