SENSEI MARLENE SMITH (PATRICIA) (KOSINSKI)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SENSEI MARLENE SMITH

Peacefully, with her loving husband by her side, Marlene Patricia Smith (née Kosinski), 75, passed away on December 7, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Marlene is predeceased by her parents, Peter and Blanche, and by her sister Margaret. She is survived by her husband Barry, her brother Carl; her children, Trevor (Khristianne), Kevin (Cam), and her grandchildren, Madison, Alyssa, and Mason.
Marlene was born on February 17, 1945 in Bienfait, Saskatchewan. Throughout her childhood she lived in different rural Manitoba towns, as the work her father, Peter, did for CN Rail took her family from place to place. While her father supervised work on the railroads, her mother, Blanche, would teach at local schools. Along with her sister Margaret, she spent much of her youth looking after her younger brother Carl. The family eventually settled on a ranch in Birch River, Manitoba, which became a place for many joyous family gatherings and happy memories.
At the age of 15, after graduating high school early, Marlene moved to Winnipeg by herself to pursue a university degree in English. Shortly after getting settled in Winnipeg, she found and adopted her beloved Malpa, a large tabby cat who became a cherished companion and protector. Only with Malpa's approval did Marlene welcome her future husband Barry into her life. On August 19, 1972, Marlene wed her soulmate, Barry, at Saint Luke's Anglican Church. Over the next 48 years, she lived a life that only she could have lived. She and Barry welcomed their two sons, Trevor and Kevin into their lives, and although she never had a daughter by birth, she embraced her daughters-in-law, Cam and Khristianne as though they were her own. She was blessed with three beautiful grandchildren, Madison, Alyssa, and Mason, who became the center of her universe.
Throughout her adult life, Marlene excelled in several professions. For a time, she followed in her mother's footsteps as a schoolteacher. She served as an accountant for the Brownstone Company and as a paralegal for multiple law firms. She was a classical violinist and pianist who loved to share her passion for music with her loved ones and the students she taught over the years.
Marlene also enjoyed a variety of hobbies. She was especially passionate about gardening, and maintained a beautiful garden and flower beds at the family house where she lived for most of her adult life. She was an avid reader and book collector and had a knack for carpentry that was passed down to her from her father. She also had a love for all fine things in life. Marlene was often dressed to the nines in the latest fashion and sparkling with jewellery.
She was an accomplished martial artist. Over a span of 30 plus years, Marlene achieved the rank of 5th degree black belt in karate, one of her proudest accomplishments. She shared her love of martial arts by establishing the Southport Karate Club in 1997. In addition to her karate classes, she also taught women's self-defense at St. John's Ravenscourt. As an instructor, she inspired and impacted the lives of many of her students throughout Winnipeg, and her work was featured in local newspapers on several occasions. She served on the board of the International Shotokan Karate Federation of Manitoba and was a well-respected Sensei throughout Canada. She took great pride in teaching in a way that made her classes both enjoyable and educational for students of all ages.
Her strength, courage, passion, thoughtfulness, and selflessness left an everlasting imprint on the many lives she touched as a wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher. She was brought to tears with the thought that her spirit would live on through her mini-me granddaughters, Madison and Alyssa.
Our family would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Riverview Health Centre and Grace Hospice for the exceptional care and outstanding compassion they demonstrated while she fought to see her family for as long as she could.
A small memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. For those who cannot attend due to the pandemic, a Celebration of Life will be hosted by the family at a later date. Our family encourages anyone who wishes to celebrate the extraordinary life of Marlene Smith to join us.
Condolences and/or flowers may be sent to Thomson "In the Park" at www.thomsoninthepark.com. Alternatively, a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society can be made in her honour.
Publish Date: Dec 12, 2020

SENSEI MARLENE SMITH

Marlene Patricia Smith (nee Kosinski), 75, of Winnipeg, Manitoba passed away on December 7, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Marlene is predeceased by her parents, Peter and Blanche, and her sister Margaret. She is survived by her husband Barry, brother Carl; her children, Trevor (Khristianne), Kevin (Cam); and her grandchildren, Madison, Alyssa, and Mason.
A longer obituary notice will follow on Saturday, December 12, 2020.
Publish Date: Dec 9, 2020

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2020, Dec 12, 2020