Dear friends and family,
It is with great sadness that we announce that our mother, Marlene Gordon, has died. Mom fell in her care home on Sunday, September 29th and was taken by ambulance to the Ottawa Civic Hospital. She died six days later on October 5, 2024. As her daughters, we took shifts by her bedside to ensure that she was always surrounded by love.
Mom was living with dementia and had recently moved to the Memory Floor of her care home, but this did not impede her zest for life. She continued to recognize us, and over the last few years enjoyed our visits and going with us on outings. A few weeks ago, she was asked what she was most grateful for, and without hesitation answered: "To be alive!"
Mom was a monumental force in our lives, and it is hard to imagine a world without her support and generosity. We are diminished without her.
If you knew her, you would not be surprised that she was well prepared in practical terms for the eventuality of her death. She wrote down all her last wishes, gathered her documents, and placed them in ‘the briefcase’ that we were to open when the time came.
It is like having Mom beside us as we navigate the tasks presented by her death. She wrote, “These pages are full of instructions, and makes me think of when you went off to Germany or the Lycée for several months. I always think you are my children and still learning and I must prepare you as best as I can. Who is going to do that for you when I am ‘gone’?????”
She asked that there be no newspaper obituary, or funeral. Public grieving was not her style. She wished to be cremated, and her ashes scattered in places of significance for her. Later this month, we will gather as a family in Ste Agathe at the grave of her beloved husband Bruce to inter her ashes beside him.
Marlene loved animals and often commented on the uncomplicated joy they brought into our lives. If you wish to make a gesture in Mom’s memory, may we suggest that you think of a way to make the lives of animals, particularly dogs, happier and more secure. Hug your pet, walk a dog, or donate to the Lanark Animal Welfare Society.
We invite you to share your memories of Marlene here on her memorial page.
With broken, but grateful hearts,
Gabrielle, Heidi and Christine
p.s. Among the documents in the briefcase were lyrics to a song; they are suffused with Marlene’s life’s credo. May we each take inspiration from her optimistic and generous spirit.
Here’s To Life
(A.Butler and P. Molinary)
No complaints and no regrets
I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets
But I have learned that all you give is all you get
So give it all you’ve got.
I’ve had my share, I drank my fill
And even though I’m satisfied, I’m hungry still
To see what’s down another road beyond the hill
And do it all again.
So here’s to life
And every joy it brings
Here’s to life
To dreamers and their dreams…
Funny how the time just flies
How love can go from warm hellos
To sad goodbyes
And leave you with the memories you have memorized
To keep your winters warm.
But there’s no yes in yesterday
And who knows what tomorrow brings or takes away
As long as I’m still in the game
I want to play for laughs, for life, for love….
So here’s to life
And all the joy it brings
Here’s to life
To dreamers and their dreams…
May all your storms be weathered
And all that’s good get better
Here’s to life, here’s to love
And here’s to you.
Digital Guestbook
Jackie Boyer
John Olthuis
Gabrielle, Don and Family. Marlene's visage radiates seasoned wisdom. love and caring. Gabrielle I know how much you loved your Mom and how significant she was throughout your life and in these last months and years of closing caring and sharing. I trust that warm memories will provide you and Don and your immediate and extended family with some comfort as you grieve your Mom's death. Sending caring and healing blessings!!!!
Onkel Klaus Kurmies, Germany, Lübeck in memory of Elisabeth
Dear Gabrielle, Heidi and Christine,
On the death of your dear mother Marlene, I express my heartfelt condolences to you.
In this first time, it is pain and grief that hit you and make you wistful.
After a certain time, however, the grief will subside, and the time will come for many memories of your mother Marlene, which will then make you happy again and fill you with gratitude.
I wish you three such moments!
Best regards, Yours Klaus !
Marie-Jeanne. Bartleman.
Marlene ? A funny ,adventurous, courageous lady .; always well organized….and ready to try anything . Never ,will I forget what we went through together .
I lost a friend !
Martin Lilley
A sad goodbye to a wonderful, optimistic and inspirational woman. This from both me but mainly on behalf of Judy, who keft us all earlier and who phoned Marlene every evening around 6pm for over 30 years. Many lovely memories from St Agathe and boating weekends.
I'm sure Marlene and Judy already resumed playing bridge up in the clouds ?
Condolences to the girls and family. RIP
Helga Dendy
One of the best parts of life is friendship. Gabrielle, Heidi and Christine, your Mother was a dear friend to me. We attended the same school in Berlin for 2 years, immigrated together to the land we both loved in 1957 - we were adventuresome, positive and loved life. Thinking of you as you grieve and relive happy memories.
Diane Lucas
Your Mom, Marlene, was such a wonderful addition to our family. So courageous and adventurous to travel to a foreign country and embrace life here. I remember the many times we spent up in Stouffville and eating watercress sandwiches. Where is the protein in watercress? Many memories of your grandmother, Mrs. Nagel, (not sure I even knew her first name) coming over from Germany to spend time with her new family in Canada. Grateful that I had the opportunity to spend time with all of you and your Mom a couple of years ago at Heidi's. Now is the time to grieve your loss, but going forward you will embrace all the special moments that you had together. With love, Diane.
Gaelen Gordon
Three things strongly impressed me about Marlene in my youth..
She was fiercely devoted to the wellbeing of her girls. I think she was somewhat a model for me in what was - "a good mother".
She had a zest for exploring and was brave in doing this. I'll always remember the tale of the map above her bed in Germany, while she wished, planned and waited to emigrate.
She loved a good restaurant !
Dougall Gordon
I will always remember the good times I had with Marlene during March break at Ste. Agathe. March break skiing with Marlene's close personal friends, Ste. Agathe outings (fondu, crepes and St. Sauveur shopping/browsing) and morning coffee conversations on the cottage porch. I didn't know it at the time, but Marlene was instrumental in creating some of my fondest memories at Ste. Agathe and I will always be grateful for that.
Florian
Marlene has made her dream come true with courage and confidence. A long journey has now come to an end. One day we will all be reunited. She was an inspiration to us and I will always remember her cheerful nature.
Our happy memories seem to get us through the saddest of times. Marlene and I had a great friendship and shared many fun memories which had us in stitches frequently. It was a privilege to have known her and her wonderful children Heidi, Gabrielle and Christine and for sure, I will miss my dear friend Marlene and hearing news of you all. God bless you all.