Marion Joy Adkins

It is with love and sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Marion Joy Adkins (nee Middleton) on May 2, 2025 at the of 96 with family at her side.

Marion was born at Grace Hospital in Vancouver on March 6,1929. She was raised in Burnaby, graduated from Burnaby South High School, and worked at the B.C. Telephone Company for 5 years. She then met the love of her life, Cliff Adkins, and they were married in 1951. They moved to North Vancouver where Marion stayed home for the next 10 years and raised 4 beautiful children. But that wasn’t her only accomplishment. For 10 years Marion was one of the co-convenors that started Meals on Wheels on the Northshore, which provided food for shut-ins and veterans. For 25 years she was a member of the Professional Engineers Wives Association which planned events for deserving students at U.B.C., and she was a member of the Rotary Club of Burnaby which raised money for seniors, children’s hospitals, and many more charities. Marion believed that the greatest gift one can give is caring for others.

Marion is predeceased by her parents Eva and Robert Middleton, husband Clifford Adkins, brother Robert (Bob) Middleton, sister-in-law Joan Middleton, and brother-in-law George McLachlan.

Marion is deeply missed and survived by her older sister Nancy McLachlan, by her children, Barbara Backmo (Con), Denise Carlyle, Sandra Murray (John) and Joe Adkins (Nancy), and lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Brad Carlyle (Jen), Michael Carlyle (Katie), Matthew Murray (Casey), Andrew Murray (Casey-Jeanne), Lyndsay Heath (Paul), Zoe Adkins (Alex), and 9 great-grandchildren, Abbey, Jackson, Kingston, Jameson, Alexis, Ellie, Sadie, Kenzie, Maddie, and many nieces and nephews. Marion was the perfect hostess, and loved preparing delicious meals for family and friends. Sunday night family dinners were a must! To Marion FAMILY WAS EVERYTHING! Marion and Cliff enjoyed their time cruising with friends, and golf vacations in Palm Desert.

Marion moved from North Vancouver to Whitecliff Retirement Living in 2015 so Cliff could get the extra care he needed. Marion had a wonderful long life and she will be fondly remembered by countless family members, dear friends and staff at Whitecliff whose lives were touched by her warmth, generosity and kindness. Marion brought a vibrant energy wherever she went. Her boundless love made her not just a devoted mother, wife, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, but a beloved friend. She lived by her motto “do something nice for someone every day”. Marion was deeply loved and will be forever missed.

There will be no service at the request of the family. In lieu of donations please do something kind for someone today!