Marion Joan Birley
Marion Joan Birley (nee Henshaw) resident of Fort St John, BC, passed away on December 27, 2013 at the age of 88 years at the Fort St John Hospital. She was born on July 10, 1925 in Swanwick, Derbyshire, England to Harry and Elsie Henshaw. As a child, she attended Dronfield Grammar School in Derbyshire, and later a Secretarial College. At the College, she learned typing, Pitman short hand and other office skills which she honed in various
offices throughout England. Marion was a teenager
during World War Two and was a volunteer for the Red Cross and also for the Naafi (Navy, Army, and Airforce Institutes) club. It was at the Naafi club dance that she met the love of her life, Douglas Birley of Fort St John, BC, Canada. A few short weeks of meeting during wartime
turned to eight years of letter writing after the war.
Finally the two decided to meet again and see if they were still in love and Doug traveled to London and immediately they bought a ring and were married on
August 4, 1953.
Marion took on the challenge of leaving London, England and becoming a farmer’s wife in Fort St John, BC. After her initial shock at the gumbo, wooden sidewalks, and hitching posts of the pioneer town, Marion found employment as a secretary at various businesses in town, including a position as the first Deputy Court Reporter in the area for the Province of BC, a position she held for 12 years. After this she worked as a public stenographer with her own office in the Victoria Center.
Marion’s volunteer activities included the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Fort St John Hospital Auxiliary, and the Anglican Women’s Institute. She was also an avid supporter of many charities and foundations.
Marion’s most cherished role was wife and mother. Her husband, children, and grandchildren were her pride and joy. Marion put her family before all else and her love for family guided all her decisions. To her many friends she was a patient listener, known for her quick mind and ability to give great advice.
Marion is survived by her children: Susan Birley, Sandra Gunn, Richard Birley (Brenda) and Sally Birley: her grandchildren; Dustin Roy, Chelsea Roy, Andrew Konoff, Erik Konoff, Lauren Gunn, Ariel Gunn, Jesse Gunn, Sage Birley and Talina Birley; her brother Michael Henshaw of Nottingham, England; and other family and friends in Canada and England.
Marion is predeceased by her parents Harry and Elsie Henshaw (nee Fryer) and her husband Doug Birley.
The family wishes to thanks Dr Parker, and the nurses and staff at the Fort St John Hospital for their
kindness and support. Thank you to the Legion’s Lady Auxiliary for the funeral tea. Thank you also to
Rev. Tim Johnson, Ruby McBeth, Julia Kowalsky, Rene Giesbrecht, Juanita Rohim, Mallory Smith, and
Rhonda Brown.