jubileeunited Marianne was born on the 20th of May 1934 in the hospital in Walkerton, Ontario. Her parents were Edna Somerville Butchart and Harold Lawson Doig. Their farm was located just outside Fordwich, Ontario. Marianne was raised there with her older brother Edward (b. 16 June 1930 – d. 25 November 2022). She attended schools in Fordwich and Listowel. Teaching was her profession of choice. She attended Normal School in Kitchener and had her first teaching job in Scarborough.
The love of her life was Harvey (b. 03/02/1930 – d. 09/08/2019), four years her senior. Harvey was raised on another farm outside Fordwich. From all accounts they were each other’s one and only. Married on April 20th 1957 they moved to Toronto where Harvey took a teaching position at R.H. King Collegiate. Their son Peter was born in June of 1958. Daughter Miriam was born in October of 1968. Granddaughter Emily was born in November of 1993.
Harvey taught high school French in the Scarborough educational system in Toronto. He enjoyed a truly productive and rewarding career as a well-respected and well-loved teacher. He retired in 1988. Marianne returned to work for several years after that as a teaching assistant also in the Scarborough system. From 1993 onward they enjoyed a wonderful retirement. They were very active members of Bethesda United Church. Bethesda merged it’s congregation with two others to form Jubilee United Church in 2001. Marianne and Harvey were stalwarts of both congregations. Marianne attended her last service on May 27th of this year. She attended all subsequent virtual services through June 25th.
Marianne received the sad news of her terminal diagnosis mid-October of 2022. She was given three to six months to live. Never one to give in easily she was a model patient. She fought the disease with discipline and determination. As was her wish, she passed peacefully at home with great dignity and serenity surrounded by loved ones. Not surprisingly it was on a Sunday and just after church. She leaves her granddaughter Emily, daughter Miriam, son Peter and sister-in-law Joyce Doig of Atlanta. Sisters-in-law Merle McIntosh and Rosada Bride and their families are much appreciated. Marianne enjoyed good, positive relationships with each and every one of you.
The family would like to extend our special thanks to her principal personal support worker Jesabel and her cousin Zenaida, dear friend Elda Scott and the Reverend Norm Seli. All of the excellent home care would not have been possible without her palliative care doctor, Sandy Buchman. He was her champion from the day they met. Under his supervision she had an unbroken boulevard of excellent therapists, a first class nurse practitioner (Dusanka) and the talents of superb support staff and clinicians at North York General Hospital. Marianne always liked to attend her appointments at the hospital. She was able to do so until two weeks before she passed. Recent visits from Dr. Buchman at home were unhurried and a huge comfort to her. Our sincere thanks to all the relatives, friends and neighbours who made time to call, write and visit in person during the last few months.
Any donations in her name would be appreciated and well deserved: