Obituary of Marion Emily Williams

May 1, 1924 – Calgary, Alberta

August 12, 2024 – Diamond Valley, Alberta

“We regret to inform you . . .”

As the teenage telegrapher transcribed those dreaded words, she knew she would soon be hand-delivering a telegram with the worst possible news someone with a family member at war could ever imagine.

And so, today, we regret to inform you of the passing of that telegrapher, our beloved mother and grandmother, Marion Williams, on Monday, August 12, 2024, following a massive stroke three days prior. Marion was born in Calgary, AB, on May 1, 1924, and passed away at Rising Sun LTC at the Oilfields General Hospital in Diamond Valley, AB, with family by her side.

Just the day before her stroke, at age 100 years and three months, she entertained the other residents of her long-term care home with her stories, her finesse at the piano, and her joyful love of life.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon, in 1996 and grandson Nathan in 1982. She was the last of her family: her parents, Stanley and Mary Etta Ibbitson; brother Neil, and sisters, Norene, Nelda, Myra, and Bette.

She is survived by her two sons, Donald of Madden, AB, and his wife Lorraine; their children Corey (Michelle) Williams of Edmonton, AB, Jayson (Sarah) Williams of Calgary, AB, and Crystal Smith of Calgary, AB; and great-grandchildren, Christopher, Brennan, Ava, Kieran, Isaiah, Cavan, Emmett and Kalaya, and Neil of High River, AB, and his wife Valda Harris, and Neil’s children, Christy Williams of High River, AB, Shawn (Chris) Daniher of Calgary, AB, and Connie (Mike) Richard of Plamondon, AB; and great-grandchildren, Ty, Payden, Jaxen, and Kallen.

She was raised in railway stations across Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, sparking her passion for travel. She visited 29 countries, several of them many times, and developed a reverence for Israel in particular. Her love of world travel and cultures prompted her to volunteer as an ESL mentor, encouraging newcomers from every continent. She worked as a school secretary for 20 years, giving her time for her extended trips.

The people and places she visited sparked many memories that inspired four anthologies of short stories and two full-length novels she wrote and self-published. Her love of life, keen interest in people of all nations and their experiences, and her deep and diverse spirituality colored each story.

Her first job out of high school was as a CPR telegraph operator during WWII, receiving and then delivering telegrams that documented the triumphs and tragedies of her neighbours. That work took her to Jasper, AB, where she met Gordon in 1945. During their 51-year marriage, they lived in Burns Lake, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, Vancouver and then back to Salmon Arm, BC, where she spent her retirement years. She returned to Alberta in 2021 to live with Neil.

In addition to her travel, writing, volunteering and deep and diverse spiritual inquiry, she loved to visit with her many friends, and to play golf. She was adamant she would play at 100 and did indeed hit a few balls at her birthday party in May.

In her last days she continued to sparkle brightly as she told her stories, played her repertoire of long-remembered songs on the piano, and inspired all with her fierce independence and her joyful and loving approach to life.

We wish to extend our deep gratitude to the amazing team of nurses, aides and administrators at the Rising Sun Long Term Care facility in Diamond Valley, where she spent her last five months. You allowed her bright light to shine even more brilliantly, for which we are eternally grateful.

Funeral Services will be held at High River United Church (123 Macleod Trail SW, High River, AB) on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Highwood Cemetery (5th Street SW, High River, AB). You are then invited to a reception with the family at the home of Neil and Valda.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. William’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

If friends so desire, donations can be made to the Jasper Community Team Society, 627 Patricia Street, PO BOX 1090, Jasper, Alberta, T0E 1E0, Telephone: (780) 852-2100 or online at www.jaspercommunityteamsociety.ca in support of the families of her many friends from the time she lived there.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Marion’s family here.

In living memory of Marion Williams, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.

Click to Watch the Funeral Service for Marion Emily Williams