Marianne Helen Walsh

Marianne was predeceased by her beloved parents, Mary and Cecil Schnurr. She is survived by her children, David, Jaymie, and Sarah; her grandchildren, Molly and John; her siblings, Larry (Sydney), Robert, Bill (Kaoru), Joe, and Joanne (Michel); and her many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

Finding the words to do justice to Marianne, a true embodiment of unconditional love, is a tremendously difficult task. Ask any of her children, and all of them unanimously agree that she truly was the very best.

Marianne lived an interesting life and often marched to the beat of her own drum, whether exploring numerous career paths, redefining her relationship with faith, or simply doing things in her own way and at her own pace. She loved to retell stories from her high school days, many of which revealed her hilarious, playful, and adventurous spirit. To her parents’ surprise, Marianne became a mother at the young age of 19, first to David and soon after to her second son, Jaymie. Being a young mother brought its share of challenges, but in later years, Marianne transformed those experiences into opportunities for growth and embraced her true purpose, becoming the best mother she could be. Part of that commitment was reflected in her choice to live a sober life for over 40 years, a decision she maintained with unwavering dedication. Eleven years later, Marianne’s daughter Sarah was born. All three of her children were extremely blessed. Each had deeply personal and special relationships with her, and she with them. Her children all felt her unwavering love and support and understood that to her, their happiness was of utmost importance.

One of Marianne’s greatest gifts was the way she could make people feel truly heard and understood. She demonstrated this by always offering a non-judgmental, empathetic, emotionally attuned listening ear. Whether with family, friends, or colleagues, she had the ability to create a sense of safety for anyone going through a difficult time.

Another gift worthy of mention was Marianne’s incredible sense of play. Naturally creative and full of humor, she often shared unique thoughts or witty quips that made those around her burst into laughter. She carried this creativity and playfulness into everyday life. Whether with friends, siblings, children, or grandchildren, she could invent spontaneous games that turned ordinary moments into something memorable and magical.

In addition to her emotional intelligence and playful spirit, Marianne was an intellectual and lifelong learner. She earned a master’s degree in political science from the University of Regina and later shared her knowledge as a sessional lecturer, teaching Introduction to Political Science. She often reflected fondly on her teaching days, sharing stories of how she would occasionally tell personal anecdotes in class and watch her students erupt in shared laughter.

Marianne’s professional pursuits extended beyond the classroom. She worked for the provincial government drafting letters for the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, as a realtor, and as an accountant for private clients. Later, she brought her skills to the film industry, handling accounting work with the same diligence, intelligence, and integrity that marked everything she undertook. She also had a deep love of reading, especially science fiction and fantasy, and was even in the process of writing her own novel. She was an excellent writer, able to express her thoughts with clarity, creativity, and imagination.

Trying to capture Marianne’s life in words is impossible. Her boundless love and countless acts of selfless service were gifts to everyone who knew her. Our grief is deep because the love she gave was even deeper. As Kahlil Gibran wrote in The Prophet, “When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” Marianne’s love, playful spirit, and vibrant presence remain with us always, a lasting reflection of the joy she brought to our lives.

While flowers are appreciated, the family warmly welcomes your written memories in this guest book as the most meaningful gift.