Marie Weicker

She was predeceased by her parents Emile and Sylvia, husband Wilfrid Weicker, son Michael, sisters Charlotte and Therese, brothers John and Peter. Survived by her brother Joe (Mickey). Marie will be greatly missed by her children Cathy, Bernie, Jim, Anne (Doug), Joe (Melinda), Chris (Eva-Marie), Mary, Tony (Cathy) and Theresa as well as her grandchildren Josh, Jessica (Dustin), Liz, Katy (Adam), James, Mike (Megan), Daniel (Emelia), Helena (Chance) and Andrew. Also great grandchildren Lydia, Gregory, Addison, Danika, Lukas, Logan, James, William, Lucas, Lucia and two more due to be born this week!

Marie was born in a small village in France and immigrated to Vancouver Island with her family in 1937. Her family created a farm and vineyard in Cedar. Upon their arrival, she quickly needed to learn to speak English. She mastered the language and found it especially difficult to do math in her head in French and then speak the result in English! As a young adult she met Wilfrid Weicker, the love of her life. They married on May 14th, 1949 and started a family in Duncan. In 1959, the family moved to Victoria. Marie’s highest priority was her family of ten children and husband. She was devoted to her husband, as he was to her, and loved him for their 61 years of marriage. Only someone as organized and hardworking as she was could successfully raise children while supporting her husband’s many endeavours. For over twenty years, starting in the 1960’s, she ran a children’s daycare from the family home. Marie had a love of travel and made that possible for a large family by camping. Two notable long trips were both driving across Canada in 1967 and 1976. She and Wilfrid were able to travel to Europe twice.

Others always came before Marie. She was a substitute mother and grandmother for many who needed her in their life. She was interested in and inquired about everybody in her life – family or not. She was especially kind to those in distress or need. She always offered to pray for people – she said that people told her they were glad she cared. One of her many qualities was the ability to admit when she was not true to her own values and to be responsible for her actions. Marie was a devout Catholic her whole life and was deeply involved with her church. She was a long-standing member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL). In the 1970’s she participated in the Couples Club with Wilfrid. For many years she hosted a weekly Prayer Group in her home. She attended mass at least a few times a week and in her later years, when her health made it difficult to attend, she watched a mass on TV.

As Marie became older and needed more care in her life, she always was grateful and gave a heartfelt thank you. She enjoyed weekly visits from her children, grandchildren and especially her great-grandchildren. Many Sunday afternoons were spent with four generations around the dining room table playing cards, socializing and eating her delicious baking. When COVID restrictions came, she decided she needed a new purpose in life and to contribute to others. She made the commitment to bake cookies for the less fortunate. This became a high priority and up until her last few days, she baked 600 cookies a week! These cookies went to the “9-10 Soup Kitchen” at St. Andrew’s Cathedral and were greatly appreciated. Marie was a devoted mother and wife who lived a life of service to God and everyone. Marie will be missed by all.

The family thanks Dr. J. Aiken for his years of care and also the staff at Royal Jubilee Hospital, 8 SW. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday August 17th, 2022 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church (2060 Haultain St., Victoria, BC) at 12:10pm. Reception to follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Hall, next to the church. In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations to the “9-10 Club Soup Kitchen” (CanadaHelps.org).