Marie E. Atkinson

Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, relative and friend; Marie has passed on to her final resting place at the age of 92 years. Cared for with kindness, compassion, love and laughter for the past three and half years by the staff of St. Martha's Extended Care in Banff, Alberta; our family extends our heartfelt gratitude.

Predeceased by her husband, George Atkinson, she leaves her loving children, Barry (Sandy) Atkinson, Betty Lynn (Cam) Witwer, Raymond (Darlene) Atkinson, Doug (aka Avinga) (Gillian) Atkinson and Judy (Michael) Vincent plus eleven grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Her sister and best friend, Ruth Myers (Jane) and niece, Lisa, and nephew, Arthur, grieve her passing. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Bob & Dick. Her laughter and mischievous nature will be missed at the Flory reunions in Montana, Idaho and Oregon. She will be missed by George's half-sister, Martha, and cousins, Ann and John Shear, Marge and Alice Middleton, and Bob (Gail) Pender.

Marie grew up on a small bump on the prairie in Bayard, Saskatchewan. She moved to Calgary with her family where she worked and attended secretarial school and met her future husband, George. With their growing family, they spent many fun-filled years with their extended company family of Calgary Power employees and their families (later TransAlta) in Seebe, Ghost and Spray Lakes, Canmore. They enjoyed Sunday drives, picnics, hiking and identifying and taking pictures of the many and varied Rocky Mountain wild flowers. Marie made many friends and confidantes through her arts and crafts shop "Grotto Gifts" which she operated for eight years, two of those with her son-in-law, Michael. She operated this store with many a smile, a laugh and a story.

Marie & George moved to Canmore in retirement and later Calgary; travelling to various provinces in Canada and the United States, England, Australia, New Zealand and the Panama Canal. As snowbirds, they spent seven winters nesting in Arizona and joking with her second cousin Daryl (Marge) Fraser.

She bequeaths love and laughter to all.

A memorial service was held Saturday, January 16, 2015 in the Creekside Hall, Canmore Seniors Centre.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in her memory

to the Parkinson's Society of Alberta, (www.parkisonalberta.ca)

or a charity of your choice.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.