It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marian Gail Mackenzie, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She passed peacefully with her loving family by her side after a short but very courageous battle with leukemia.
Mom was born in Trail, BC on July 21, 1943. She loved growing up in the Kootenays and enjoyed many special times at Gyro Park on the banks of the Columbia River with her sister, Adrienne and parents, George and Agnes LeFort. Mom learned to ski on the steep slopes of Red Mountain and spent summers at Christina Lake. She enjoyed careers in the secretarial field and as a high school teacher before settling in Vancouver.
One clear, starry night in 1962, Mom and Dad met in the lift line while night-skiing at Grouse Mountain. It was love at first sight and the beginning of a life-long love full of joyous times with family and friends. They married in Vancouver and have enjoyed over 50 years of happy marriage. They had three daughters and eventually settled in a beautiful wooded neighborhood in South Surrey. This neighborhood was the backdrop for countless special family times, mainly due to the many friendships which were formed during the early years there. These precious friendships have endured and these friends have become part of our family.
Mom prioritized family time and traditions and our childhood years were spent doing many different activities together. Mom and Dad passed on a love of skiing and most winter weekends were spent at our family cabin at Whistler. Other special family times included summers at Christina Lake, horse shows and times at the barn with our horses, travel and many gatherings of family and friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays and more. Mom's devotion to family and her value and love of family time is a legacy that we will honour by carrying forward.
As her three girls grew older, Mom enjoyed volunteering at the Vancouver Aquarium and eventually became the head of volunteer docents. Her love of fine arts later led her to Jenkins-Showler Gallery where she worked for several years. She was passionate about the arts and education and derived much fulfillment from her time there. Mom had a love of horses which started in her childhood. In recent years, she volunteered for the Pacific Riding Association for Developing Abilities and found this to be very enjoyable and rewarding.
Mom and Dad loved travel and new adventures and Dad's early retirement allowed them many years of amazing travel experiences around the world, often with dear friends. Over the past several years, Mom and Dad have spent much of the winter in Mesa, Arizona where they enjoyed golfing, desert hiking and formed many special new friendships.
Our mom was a thoughtful, caring, intelligent and generous woman. She was a voracious reader and a life-long learner. She was committed to supporting her local bookstore and she also supported many charities that were near and dear to her heart. Mom never missed a birthday, important date or special event. Her devotion to family and friends was unwavering and the outpouring of love following her passing is reflective of the wonderful friend she was and of the many lives she touched. She was a loving grandmother and her grandchildren brought her immense joy. Her warm, sparkly smile and infectious laughter will be missed but never forgotten.
Pre-deceased by her parents, George and Agnes LeFort and her precious granddaughter Estella, Mom is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband Ian, daughters Adrienne (Erik), Laura (Jason), Anne (David), her grandchildren Gavin, Wade, Kai, Mei and Jodhan, her sister Adrienne (Hugh) and brother-in-law Ken (Pat).
The family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Peace Arch Hospital 6 North for their care and compassion. We would also like to thank our many dear friends and family for their love and prayers which have carried us through this most difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the BC Cancer Foundation. A memorial in our mother's honour will take place in the spring. Date and time to be advised.
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