MARIE VALENTINE FERRIS (LARSON) -

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MARIE VALENTINE FERRIS (nee LARSON) 1913 - 2010 Peacefully, on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, Marie Ferris passed away at the Tiger Hills Health Centre, Treherne, MB. She was loved, and will always be remembered, by her daughter Kate Ferris and son-in-law Fred Casey (Winnipeg Beach, MB), son Les and daughter-in-law Heather (Holland), grandson William, granddaughter Karen, and sisters-in-law Ellen Rutherford (Winnipeg), and Elsie Murray (Moose Jaw, SK) as well as many nieces and nephews in both the Larson and Ferris families. Marie was predeceased by her husband, William (Bill) Ferris (2007), parents Olaf and Maria Larson, brother Lawrence Larson, sisters and brothers-in law Isabel (Howard) Livingston, Lillian (Bill) Robertson, Hazel (Oswald) Sorflaten, Gladys (Jack) Later, Mildred (Barney) Mollot, and Rhoda (Con) Peterson. In her extended family she was predeceased by parents-in-law Lewis and Annie Ferris, sisters-in-law Irene (Bill) Kerr, Iola (Bernard) Goekoop, Alice (Ralph) Ballantyne, Beatrice (George) Down, Mae (Bill) Taylor, Dorothy (Alvin) Caslick, and brothers-in-law Harold, Elliot, Allen (Myrtle) and Tom (Mary) Ferris, Robert (Bob) Rutherford, and Sandy Murray. Marie was born on February 15, 1913 in Starbuck, MB, the seventh of eight children. At the age of five, Marie contracted polio which left her with a severe limp. Because of that, and also perhaps because she was the second youngest of seven sisters, she grew up determined to prove that not only could she do as much as anyone else, she could do more! This spirit remained with her to her final day. After graduating from High School in Starbuck, Marie attended Manitou Normal School and graduated in 1932 with her Teacher's Certificate. Miss Larson came to share her love of learning with students in several rural schools: Edison School in Camper, Joyce and Maplestead Schools in Fannystelle, Starbuck School, and Flowery Bank School in Morris. She loved teaching, and said that every year was better than the one before. In a time when it was uncommon for young, single women to travel, Marie enjoyed many adventures. She bicycled around Prince Edward Island, and travelled to New York City, California, and the Seattle World's Fair. In 1943, Marie started what was to become her last teaching position at Margaret Scott School in Winnipeg, teaching Kindergarten and Grade One. She enjoyed her students and fellow staff members greatly, but resigned in 1950 to exchange one love for another. On June 17 she married Bill Ferris of Holland, MB, and moved to the family farm in Camille to begin yet another adventure. Marie and Bill were joined by daughter Kathryn Ann (Kate) in 1953 and son Leslie Olaf in 1954. Her father, Olaf, also lived with them until his passing in 1960. During her 31 years on the farm, Marie spent hours adding trees and flower beds, creating a beautiful home. She was active in the Horticultural Society, Hospital Guild, U.C.W., and Rebecca Lodge. In 1981, she and Bill moved into Holland and Marie once again got to pursue her passion of gardening and travel. She and Bill took tours of the East Coast, Alaskan Highway, Hawaii, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and more, and also worked to help establish the Holland Friendship Centre. When her children married - Les to Heather Falloon in 1988 and Kate to Fred Casey in 1995 - she loved her children-in-law as her own. And her pride in her grandson, William, and namesake granddaughter Karen Marie, knew no bounds. But her greatest love was for Bill - her husband and companion of 57 years. When Bill was moved to the Personal Care Home in Treherne, Marie moved into the Tiger Hills Villa to be near him. She enjoyed outings on the Handi-Van and to the Friendship Centre, and she began another little garden which she tended with love and care right up until she was hospitalized. A service celebrating Marie's life will be held on Saturday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the Holland United Church, with a lunch to follow at the Holland Community Centre. Interment will occur at a private family ceremony earlier in the day. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations may be made to the Holland United Church Memorial Fund, Box 191, Holland, MB R0G 0X0, the Holland Friendship Centre, Box 292, Holland, MB R0G 0X0, the Canadian Alzheimer's Society, or a charity of their choice. Jamieson's Funeral Services in care of the arrangements. Close your eyes, close your eyes; All your work is done. It's time to rest, and lay your head down.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 25, 2010