Obituary of BARROLL – Marie Alice

BARROLL – Marie Alice (nee McGillivray) January 14, 1925 – July 27, 2010 Marie Alice Barroll, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at the age of 85 years. Born in Calgary on January 14, 1925, Marie and her twin brother Hugh entered the world in the bitter Alberta winter and together began their life in the glow of the love of their parents Hugh and Rose McGillivray and a warming oven in the kitchen stove. Marie showed her character at an early age, watching over her younger siblings (a second set of twins, Joan and Don, and her youngest sister Eunice), and all her life maintained her role as the fiercely protective guardian of her siblings, and when they grew older, her beloved parents. She was high-spirited, strong minded, stubborn and deeply compassionate, and during her life was never afraid of standing up for children, animals or anyone she felt was unable to protect themselves. A member of St Joseph’s parish, she attended and graduated from St. Mary’s High school. Even as a teenager, her energetic spirit and sense of fun drew many people to her. She had a flare for fashion and loved dancing, skating and picnicking at Bowness Park with friends and family. Her desire for an independent life led her to nursing school where at 21 she graduated from Holy Cross Hospital as a Registered Nurse in1946. After years of nursing in small towns across Alberta and Calgary, Marie’s search for wider horizons led her to become an Air Stewardess for Trans Canada Airlines, one of the pioneers in the post-war Canadian airline industry. Her exciting career working in DC3 aircraft led to her meeting the love of her life, Ed Barroll, who upon seeing her was so enamoured as to change his assigned seat to sit next to Marie on the plane so he could meet her. Ed was an ex-RCAF pilot, petroleum engineer and a rig manager in Northern Alberta, and during their courtship, her pilots would often alert her on the intercom when landing in Edmonton, “Marie, your roughneck’s waiting for you!” whenever they saw a familiar red plaid jacket on the tarmac. They soon married and began a life together that took them from an oilfield skid-shack to the family house in Mount Royal in Calgary, with many stops along the way — France, Edmonton, Denver, Houston, but Calgary always remained their true home. During that time they raised three daughters and a son; Jane, Hugh, Catherine and Mary, who benefited from the deep love of home and family that characterized Marie’s life, and provided lasting values with the warmth and stability of a large family circle. Like her mother, Marie was a great cook and her many travels with Ed made her an inspired one; her dinners were legendary among her family and friends. She liked bowling and won several trophies at the Glencoe Club. She was a member of the Mount Royal Ladies Group, the Holy Cross Nurses Alumnae Association, and the Maple Wings. She enjoyed gardening and jam-making, especially at the family cabin on Shuswap Lake where she passed many happy summers. Her sorrow at the loss of her husband and life partner of 58 years was comforted by the birth of her beloved grandson Edward, who brought great joy to her final years. Despite the inevitable losses and challenges of life, she never lost her capacity for optimism, love and faith. Marie’s sense of humour and curiosity about the world kept her young far beyond her years. Her passing was a shock to everyone who knew her– she was still beautiful, spirited, loved life and finally was, “a lady whom time had surprised”. Marie was deeply loved by her family and her many friends and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her four loving children, Jane Barroll, Hugh Barroll (Rose Moreira), Catherine Barroll and Mary Barroll (Wayne Albo); and grandchildren, Sarah, David, Leticia and Edward; her sisters, Joan Corey and Eunice Coleman. Marie was predeceased by her loving husband, Ed Barroll, and her two brothers, Hugh and Don McGillivray. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 – 18th Avenue S.W.) on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, #271, 339 – 50 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 2B3 Telephone: (403) 265-9039, www.childrenswish.ca. In living memory of Marie Barroll, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.