Marion Helen Barlow

April 16, 1945 – March 23, 2026

Marion passed away in her beloved Victoria at the age of 80, with her daughter Elaine by her side.

She leaves behind her daughter Elaine of Red Deer, grandson Mitchell of Summerside, daughter Darlene of Vancouver, and her brother Paul of Edmonton. Marion was predeceased by her parents, Bessie and Joseph Lambert.

Marion loved her grandson Mitchell deeply and looked forward to every visit. Time with him was especially meaningful, whether at Beacon Hill Park Petting Zoo, exploring local beaches and parks, going for a chocolate dip cone, or during her trips to Alberta to be with him and Elaine.

Marion was a hard worker and a lifelong learner who never believed in spending her time frivolously. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966 from the Edmonton General Hospital School of Nursing. She went on to earn her Occupational Health Nursing certificate from Grant MacEwan College in 1977 through night school, while working full time and raising her two daughters on her own. Never finished learning, Marion later returned to school at the University of Alberta to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1988.

Marion loved being a nurse and caring for people at all stages of life. She valued the friendships she built throughout her career. She worked for many years as an occupational health nurse with the Government of Alberta, and as a community health nurse with the Edmonton Board of Health Duggan Clinic. There, she enjoyed sharing humour with coworkers, providing health education as a school nurse, and especially caring for the many newborns who came through the clinic. She also worked part time at a walk-in clinic to keep her clinical skills up.

After falling in love with the beauty of Victoria during a family trip in the early 1980s, Marion relocated there in 2001 following her retirement. She was not fond of Alberta winters, particularly driving in snow and ice, and she embraced the milder coastal climate. In Victoria, she volunteered with her church guild and the View Royal Public Library. Never one to sit idle, she returned to work for a time in local care homes, often working night shifts.

Marion’s commitment to social justice and community was reflected in her long connection to the New Democratic Party. She was deeply influenced by Grant Notley and Jack Layton, whose strength and conviction she admired. Over the years, she volunteered on numerous campaigns and remained engaged with the federal NDP after moving to British Columbia. She lived her values through her actions with consistency and conviction.

Marion was also a “recycler extraordinaire” and a proud Canadian. Her care for others extended to animals, including her beloved dog, Buttons, whom she rescued and nursed back to health after a car accident. She believed in doing her part, taking responsibility, and leaving things better than she found them.

In her later years, Marion lived with dementia, which she faced with quiet strength.

She will be remembered for her independence, her work ethic, her humour, her friendships, and her practical, capable approach to life. She will be deeply missed in quiet, everyday ways by those who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.