Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
MARY ELIZABETH (MARSHALL) COGHLIN
Date of Passing: Oct 25, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMARY ELIZABETH (MARSHALL) COGHLIN
It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear Mary at Gimli Community Hospital October 25, 2026, at the age of 73.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, Doris and Scott Marshall; and sister Margaret Keough.
Left to cherish her memory are husband Laurie; sister-in-law Linda Foster; brother-in-law Tom Keough; and cousin Lorne Douglas; along with many nieces and nephews in the extended Keough, Foster and Douglas (New Zealand) families.
Mary spent her early years in River Heights, graduating from Kelvin High School. From there it was three years at the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree.
A three and a half month tour backpacking through 13 European countries with future sister-in-law Linda followed, with their travel companion being the “Europe on $10 a Day book”!
Arriving back home, Mary soon started what was to be a successful 40-year career in Information Technology at Great-West Life (now Canada Life), retiring as a project manager in 2015.
Mary met future husband, Laurie, when she was four and he was six, at Whytewold Beach, so it probably was no surprise that having known each other for so long, they ended up getting married in 1984.
Summers were always spent at Whytewold. The Marshall family cottage became our cottage, and in 2003 we replaced it with our dream house which, as planned, became our retirement home.
Mary’s times at the lake were spent doing yard work, feeding her birds, tending to her flowers and adventuring around the lake on bike rides.
Retirement years were spent nearly full time at the lake house, which certainly was her “happy place”.
The 1974 European expedition increased Mary’s desire to see more of the world. Every other year we tried to take a winter trip, and these were always a highlight. We were very fortunate to see so many different countries with our favourites being three visits each to Portugal and Bermuda. Other stops included Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and China. Thanks to Britrail and Eurail, we visited most of the UK and too many European countries to list. When we stayed closer to home, trips to Palm Springs, Irvine and Sacramento in California were greatly enjoyed.
Mary did not have many traditional hobbies but was interested in current events and read Time Magazine and Macleans, cover to cover, whenever a new issue was released.
Mary loved driving, and was brave enough to drive through many European countries, but drew the line in Bermuda and the UK where she would have been faced with being on the “other side of the road”.
The last several years were increasingly difficult due to the onset of expressive aphasia. However, Mary never complained, dealt with her condition bravely and was happy to the very end with smiles for everyone.
Cremation has taken place and in keeping with Mary’s wishes no formal service will be held.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mary’s family doctor, Dr Silagy, the Interlake EMS personnel who attended to us when in need, and the ER staff at both Selkirk and Gimli hospitals.
Mary’s last five weeks were spent at the Gimli Hospital where the doctors, nurses, healthcare aides and cleaning staff were absolutely amazing. A special thank you to everyone there for taking such good care of us both.
Should people wish to honour Mary’s memory with a donation, please consider the Lake Winnipeg Foundation to support the lake that Mary loved so much. (https://lakewinnipegfoundation.org).
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 31, 2026
