In Loving Memory of
MARION BERNICE BRAUN (née: Smith)
April 1931- November 2010

It is with great sadness, that we announce the passing of Marion Bernice Braun, of Kamloops, BC, on Wednesday, November 24, 2010, at the Ponderosa Lodge at the age of 79 years, following a brief illness.

Marion will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her children: Douglas (Ruth) Braun of Fort St. John, BC; Arlise Braun of Kamloops, BC; Jeffery (Wendy) Braun of Airdrie, AB; William Braun of Nanaimo, BC; Darcy (Ron) Fallowfield of Kamloops, BC; and by her step son, Marvin (Nancy) Keller of Kamloops, BC. Also by her grandchildren: Nicolette and Stacy; George Jr., Ryan and Jodie; Jason, Jeffery Jr. and Mandy; Alexander; and her step grandchildren: Aaron and Jodine. She is survived by great-grandchildren: Hunter and Willow; Brandon; Zachary, Gemma and Justin; Drei, Anthony, Alyssa Lee, and Demi; Liam and Tyler; Keiran; and step great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Jordan and Kiran. Marion leaves behind sisters: Kathleen Richardson of Kelowna, BC; Joan (Bill) Hook of Sorrento, BC; and Janet Lynn Smith of Kamloops, BC; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends across the country.

Gone before to welcome her to the next realm are her parents, Earl and Bernice Smith, her soul mate and partner of 38 years, Troy Keller, and her eldest sister, Merial Penner.

Marion was born in Swift Current, SK, in 1931, the middle daughter of Earl and Sarah Bernice Smith. From her parent's farm, she moved to Moose Jaw, where she met and married her first husband, Eric Braun, with whom she had her five children. After Marion and Eric separated, she relocated with her children to Kamloops, BC, in 1965, where she put down permanent roots. She worked as a front desk clerk at Canadian Inn for a number of years, and then as a care aide at Tranquille School, where she worked until the facility was closed in 1985. Then, after graduating from cook's training course at Cariboo College, she pursued her passion for cooking and managed the kitchen at the Kamloops Curling Club for several years, where she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the lunch counter and organized the many bonspiel banquets held there. In retirement, Marion did part-time cooking at local golf courses, the Anavets club, and at fishing derby's held by the Anavets and Eagles clubs.

Marion enjoyed sewing and sewed many of her own clothes and made wedding dresses for both of her daughters. She had great fashion sense and always had a closet full of beautiful clothing for special occasions. She loved doing daily crossword puzzles, playing board and card games, doing needle crafts, pottery glazing, arts and crafts, canning, league bowling, and traveling the western provinces and states with her husband, Troy, including a memorable road trip to Alaska.

Marion had a terrific sense of humour and was always quick to share an amusing joke or anecdote when visiting with friends and family. Marion loved children and animals and could usually be found with kids and pets in her company. Grandchildren always had fun and a good spoiling at Gramma's house. She loved watching and feeding wild birds and animals in her backyard and at their cabin. Marion had an active social life, and was a past member of the Barriere Legion, was a long-time member of the Kamloops F.O.Eagles club where she was a member of the ladies auxiliary, and was a long-time member of the Kamloops Anavets club, where she was a member of the executive, in charge of social services for many terms. Marion marched annually in the Anavets' colour parade.

Marion always helped out any person or animal she encountered in need, and she was calm and quick-thinking in a crisis. On one occasion, she saved the life of a neighbour's young daughter from choking using the heimlich maneuver, and another occasion she helped rescue a young woman found in distress on a remote back road. She always had a spare bed available for any friend or family member in need of shelter. Marion loved the outdoors and enjoyed the winter months cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. In summer she loved gardening, fishing and camping locally, and even made several salmon fishing trips to the west coast. Marion and Troy hand built a log cabin overlooking Deadman Lake near Savona, where she spent some of her happiest times. It was her wish to have her ashes spread alongside Troy's ashes on the banks overlooking the lake there - a wish her family will fulfill in the spring. Marion's life was lived fully with few regrets.

The family would like to thank the many people who Marion considered her good friends and who made her life a joy to her over the years. A special thanks to her daughter, Arlise, for providing a loving home for her little dog, Brockie, after Marion entered nursing care. Thanks also to Dr. Mavis Hollman, her long-time doctor and friend, and to the caring nurses and care aides of Ponderosa respite wing, and the 2nd South wing.
Marion's funeral arrangements were entrusted to Personal Alternative Funeral Services. A Memorial Service to celebrate Marion's life will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. in the Eagle's hall banquet room at 755 Tranquille Rd, Kamloops, with a reception tea to follow. All who knew Marion are welcome to attend.

Memorial donations in Marion's honour can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, #201-635 Victoria St., Kamloops, BC, V2C 2N3; the BCSPCA Kamloops Branch, 1211 8th St., Kamloops, BC, V2B 2Y3, or any charity of choice.

Personal Alternative Funeral services
250.554.2324
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