PARR, Marie Louise 'Nana'

Passed away peacefully in her home on the Collingwood harbour on Monday December 30, 2024, in her 100th year.

Marie was married to the love of her life Ben Parr for more than 45 years before his death in 2003.

Marie will be greatly missed by her children Pat (Tom) James, Jeff (Shelley) Parr, and Kelly Parr (Dave Cramp); grandchildren Stephanie, Katie, Nick (Sam), Mike (Jordie) and Jaime; great grandchildren Bowen, Pepper and Marley.

She was predeceased by her parents Braden and Evelyn Henry and brothers Brad and John Henry.

Born in the aftermath of the First World War into a family that would include two brothers, Marie grew up on the shores of Lake Huron, in Kincardine, daughter of the RBC Bank Manager. Typical of families of her generation, her brothers were supposed to go to university, and she was sent into nursing training at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario, and initially worked in hospitals. Not loving hospital work, in the early 1950’s she got herself to the University of Toronto for a degree in Public Health. Marie spent many years of her nursing career working in Public Health in Grey and Bruce Counties and in Toronto, in family planning for Etobicoke, where she helped many young mothers and women. Marie hated being bored or idle, so to keep busy and moving forward, she certified as an Industrial Nurse and worked for the Company Nurse in various industrial settings. A woman of her generation, or perhaps a bit ahead of it, she pursued both a busy home life and a part-time career from the 1950’s until retirement to Collingwood. She enjoyed making her own money, using it for special extras along the way, and advised her daughters and granddaughters on the importance of independence.

She met and married Ben while working in public health. When the family outgrew the cottage on the cobble beach in Kincardine, Marie determined that cottage life should move to the sand beach at Bruce Beach. Over the years, so many good times, long barbecue ‘warm-ups’ and endless sunsets were thoroughly enjoyed by family, extended family, and guests. Marie and Ben made two fundamental life decisions. To set home roots in Thorncrest Village in the mid-1960’s, living there until retirement, and joining Alpine Ski Club in the late 1960’s. They declared these to be the best family decisions they ever made; where lifetime relationships for them, their children and grandchildren were formed and continue.

Marie was an active contributor to the communities in which she lived; at Thorncrest Village and Humber Valley Church in Toronto and in retirement in Collingwood at First Presbyterian Church. She was a founding member and President of early women’s Probus in Collingwood at Pretty River and with Ben helped establish Lifelong Learning (GTLLI) in Collingwood. Interspersed with periods at home with a young family, she worked and saved while Ben’s income supported the family. In retirement, Ben and Marie travelled the world. It wasn’t his idea. Or dime. They both had a great time on Marie’s savings.

Marie and Ben had wide circles of friends as a couple, but Marie always had long friendships with women from every sphere and phase of her life. Like Ben, she took an active interest in people, welcomed and supported children’s friends and so, after Ben died, Marie was able to form fast friendships throughout her long life.

Words to describe Marie: determined, independent, and feisty about it. She loved her family and often told them so. She and Ben were big football fans and shared season tickets to the Argos with her brother Brad for many years. She lived an incredibly blessed and rich life. She loved her daily rum and coke with her view of the harbour out her terrace door. She loved the water and water sports; she was a synchronized swimmer, and her front crawl was legendary.

A service of remembrance will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 200 Maple St. Collingwood at 2 PM on Friday, January 17, 2025. A reception will follow where reminiscences are welcome.

The family cannot express the extent of their gratitude to Marie’s caregivers, Sue Doucette and Shirlon Primus. They are the reason Marie stayed in her home. They are angels, for sure. We would also like to thank Marie’s long-time doctor, Dr. Catherine Moran. Dr. Moran was the only doctor she ever needed (other than the odd orthopedic surgeon). In lieu of flowers, donations in Marie’s memory may be made to Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation, of which she heartily approved or the VON, to continue the legacy of caring that Marie embodied. Friends may visit Marie's online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com