MARSHALL, MARY JANET WHALEN CHISHOLM ELLIOT
February 19, 1918 – February 27, 2016
Mary Marshall passed away peacefully at Alexandra Marine General Hospital Saturday, February 27, 2016 six days after celebrating her 98th birthday. She was surrounded by family members in her final days: a small gesture of love and gratitude from all who had received so much from her during her long life. The family takes comfort in believing that her husband, Herbert Ansley Marshall, who predeceased her, was present in spirit to welcome her on her final journey.
Our mother was the heart of our family, integral to all of our gatherings. She was the matriarch over four children, nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. We all learned much from her, and were abundantly loved by her. She was a story teller and a teacher of life’s lessons. She connected us to our heritage which began in an “off the beaten track” farm in New Brunswick. In those times it was a world largely devoid of technology: a time before electricity, cars and indoor plumbing. It was in these times, in the dim lighting of kerosene lamps that we learned the importance of family. Childhood memories evolved around summer trips down dusty dirt roads to our grandparent’s farm; where we were greeted and embraced by an endless parade of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Mary earned the admiration of all who knew and cared for her. Even at 98 years old, she always wanted to look her best and dressed with care every day; she was never without her lipstick, Revlon 407!
She loved to recall her nursing days: graduating from the Bath Hospital in New Brunswick, then studying Surgical Nursing and Pediatrics in Montreal. She proudly wore a silver medal she received for her Surgical Nursing Skills. The memory she most loved to recount was that of the days she spent as a Nursing Sister overseas in World War II. Just before shipping out to serve, she met the man of her dreams; Lieutenant Herbert Ansley Marshall, who she married secretly in 1944 and had over 65 years of marriage to. At the time of her death, Mary was the oldest living WWII nursing sister still living in Ontario.
Our mother taught us by example and also instructed us with an encyclopedia of life’s proverbs and poems. One of her most recent recitations was commonly heard throughout the last years of her life: “Backward, turn backward, O time in your flight, Make me a child again, just for tonight!” (Elizabeth Allen 1859 Rock Me to Sleep Mother). Her stories of joy and struggles never ceased to inspire and entertain us. She loved to sing, but wouldn’t want an audience. As children we would catch her singing to herself. Often it would be a hymn; her favourite “How Great Thou Art” was played at the small private family service commemorating her life by her grandson, Jordan Marshall.
The family left to cherish her memory are: four children…Mary Elizabeth (Bette) Bryant – Wayne, Carol-Anne Bennie – Gary, Herbert Ansley Marshall – Sherry, and Utpal (James) Marshall. There are nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren who will miss their “Grammy” as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mary is predeceased by her husband Herbert Ansley Marshall, her parents Frederick and Aurilla Elliot, brother Bud Elliot, sisters Jessie Welch, Margaret Boles, Emily Boles, Gladys Forbes. She is survived by one sister Maude Mooers, and one sister-in-law, Beth Latham who both reside in USA.
The family has had a small family service following Mary’s death, but will have a Legion Memorial Service on June 11, 2016 with interment at the Maitland Cemetery for those who wish to attend.
Mary’s family would like to thank Dr. Dan Noel, who supported us with compassion during her final days, the nursing staff at AMGH who were very caring of our mom and treated her with dignity and love, Letty Wagler, who was as much a ‘friend’ as ‘caregiver’, to the wonderful people of Goderich Place who treated mom with the utmost love and care and who became part of her family.
Mary’s favourite charities were; “Doctors without Borders” or the “Canadian Cancer Society” or donations can be made in Mary Marshall’s name to a charity of your choice at www.mccallumpalla.ca