MARLENE FLORENCE FEHR (DUNBAR)

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MARLENE FLORENCE FEHR (nee DUNBAR) Peacefully, on November 9, 2005, Marlene Fehr ended her courageous 27 year battle with cancer at the Seven Regions Health Centre in Gladstone with friends and family by her side, at the age of 56. On January 25, 1949, Marlene was born on her family farm and raised in the Oakville area. She received her training as a Licensed Practical Nurse and began working at the Gladstone Hospital in 1969. She married Greg Fehr of Gladstone in 1973 and they raised their two children on a farm west of town. In 1995, Marlene left the farm and moved into the town of Gladstone. For the past six years, Marlene has also been a part of a new group of family and friends in Elie, MB. Marlene started her battle with cancer in 1978 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. With determination she overcame this obstacle and lived most of her life fundraising, volunteering, and supporting those also affected by the disease and other causes. She was a volunteer counsellor for the Kids Can Cope program, dealing with children dealing with cancer in their family, and canvassed for the Cancer Society. She was also more than willing to lend an ear and offer support to those diagnosed with cancer. In her spare time, she would stop over at senior's homes to visit for a while, or provide some baking or other gifts. In 1996, she was nominated for the Victoria General Hospital Helene Hudson Memorial Award for her work with those affected by cancer. None of these activities were done for the recognition. They were done just because she cared. Over the past four years, she had been diagnosed with cancer on three separate occasions. This summer, Marlene started her final and most dangerous journey armed with the same purpose and determination she brought to everything. Her fight for her life was no different to her than any other. Every challenge was simply there and then it was behind, replaced by the next. Every person was there to help her, and be thanked for their contributions of travel to and from appointments, even if it was simply to offer a little encouragement, and wave her on her way. Her pain and the seriousness of her affliction was masked by her strength and determination to conquer it yet again, but this never stopped her from doing anything for anyone else. Everyone who knew Marlene admired her ability and desire to get over the next obstacle. She is an inspiration to those who knew her and will always be remembered for her amazing strength. On October 28, she was admitted into palliative care at Seven Regions Health Centre in Gladstone; a program she was involved in developing and supporting. In her final days she received outstanding care and attention from those with whom she had worked and grown close to during her service at the Hospital. This overwhelming support of her coworkers and others in the community in her time of need will always be remembered. Marlene was predeceased by her parents, Jannette and John Dunbar and her brother Bill Dunbar. She leaves to mourn her two children, Derek Fehr and Nicole Fehr, grandson Dylan Basic, sister Inez (Jack) Stephen of Elie, brother Gary (Michele) Dunbar of St. Ambroise, sister-in-law Ora Dunbar of Oakville, nieces and nephews, Shelley (Phillip) Lachance, Robert (Tracy) Stephen, Brent Dunbar, Tammy Dunbar, Oralea (Rod) Marquardt, Willie (Anna) Dunbar and Kim Roberts, as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews. Also left to mourn are special friend Luke Legault of Elie, best friend Valerie Emerson of Gladstone and many other friends. Funeral service will be held in the Gladstone Christian Fellowship Church on Sunday, November 13 at 2:30 in the afternoon, with Pastor Randy Fehr officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at the Oakville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seven Regions Palliative Care, Box 374, Gladstone, MB R0J 0T0, or to the Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage La Prairie, MB R1N 0K8. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. We love you Mom, I love you Nama. Clarke's Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent at our website www.clarkesfuneralhome.com.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 12, 2005