Obituary - Mary Marchand
Mary Marchand
1952 - 2015
Mary Kathleen (Porter) Marchand, born October 27, 1952 in Medicine Hat, Alberta passed away at St. Joseph’s Home - Carmel Hospice, Medicine Hat in the early hours of November 12, 2015. Mary is survived by her loving husband Ken, her three sons, Jorey (Sherry) and their 3 children: Macey, Easten and Ellis; Joel; and Jess and his son, Devan. She is also survived by 2 brothers and 3 sisters: Keith (Myrna) Porter; Kevin (Kym) Porter and Janet (John) Biggs of Medicine Hat; Lorna Porter of Edmonton and Shirley (Klaus) Porter of Kelowna, and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Mary attended school in Medicine Hat, graduating from MHHS in 1970. She enjoyed being a homemaker, and a mother and eventually received her Realtor Licence, Life Insurance Licence and was a sales person for a local car dealership.
She married Ken Marchand on December 8, 1973 and they moved to Destruction Bay, Yukon as Ken was posted there with his job of Flight Service Specialist with Transport Canada.
They returned in the spring of 1975 as Mary, being the mothering big sister, she helped prepare two weddings for her sisters Lorna and Janny. Their first son Jorey was born in 1976 followed by Joel in 1980 and Jess in 1984. Mary loved being a mother and she enjoyed mothering all her nieces and nephews that were also born in that time period. Her house was as full of laughter as it was full of children.
Mary and Ken purchased her parents hobby shop in 1980 when her father got sick. Mary was such a natural salesperson in that setting, as she was a people person, and people just gravitated towards her. She did beautiful flower arrangements and cake decorating, and was sought after for weddings of family and friends.
She was so instrumental in helping raise her niece Lorelei while her mom was a single mom and Janny was so thankful for her.
A Celebration of Mary’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 1:00 p.m.
Send a condolence message
Condolence messages are sent through an approval queue prior to publication. Once approved, your name and condolence message are viewable by the public. Your email address will remain private, and is for notification purposes only. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more details.
Thinking of You:
Nov 13, 2015 at 01:11 PM
Ken, I'm so sorry about Mary's death. She was too young. Thinking of you.
Your cousin, Laureen Marchand
John & Sylvia Roe:
Nov 13, 2015 at 07:11 PM
So sorry to hear of your loss of a dear wife and mother. RIP
Richard Worden:
Nov 14, 2015 at 07:11 PM
Dear Ken and family; Elaine joins me in expressing our sympathy on the passing of Mary. I think the obituary was very fitting as it describes Mary as the warm, friendly and always helpful person she was. I was happy to see Plastic Arts mentioned because through the store Mary was so helpful and supportive of the Sunday School and Elkwater Camp (she always had good craft ideas to share). I also recall with much appreciation Mary's support of young people. Our thoughts and prayers are for you. Richard Worden
Thinking of You:
Nov 15, 2015 at 03:11 AM
Sherry, Jorey, Ken Joel & Jess & Families, Deeply sadden by Mary's passing. She was so bright & cheery when I met her. She made everyone feel like family from the first moment you meet her. Hugs, luv & deepest sympathy. Please ask if we can do any thing for you. God help you through this difficult time.
Jacky Campbell:
Nov 15, 2015 at 05:11 PM
Ken, I do not know if you will remember me as we transferred to Ohio in 1980. I am so sorry to hear of Mary's recent death. I have very fond memories of our times together and I had the deepest respect for both of you. I remember, Keith and I, watching you race your Subaru on ice. My deepest sympathy, Jacky Campbell
Thinking of You:
Nov 16, 2015 at 07:11 PM
Thinking of you as you celebrate Mary's life. May you find comfort in your families, love Glennis Theofan
Thinking of You:
Nov 16, 2015 at 09:11 PM
Our deepest condolences to Ken & family on the passing of your wife & mother, Mary. May you & your family find comfort in all the wonderful memories she left behind. Bob & Nada (Marchand) Nash
Thinking of You:
Nov 17, 2015 at 03:11 AM
Dear Ken and family, I am deeply saddened by the news of your loss. I offer my sincere condolences. Kathy
Jim & Sue Roads & Families:
Nov 17, 2015 at 06:11 PM
Unable to attend the Celebration of Mary's Life today but are holding all those that have suffered her loss in our hearts today as you put to rest a loving and giving lady .. a friend to all that knew her. You are in our thoughts today and always. She'll be in our thoughts for a long time to come....Jim and Sue Roads and families. Angela and family .... Jodi and famiy .... Janine and family ... Stacy ...
Dallas and Gerald Weiss:
Nov 21, 2015 at 01:11 AM
We are so sorry for your loss. Mary was a very loving, kind and creative woman. We will miss her smile!
Jean Delor:
Dec 12, 2015 at 06:12 PM
When I was an exchange student in Médicine-Hat (1967-1968) Murray Greenwood and I were very good friends of Mary. I am deeply sorry of the death of Mary. I really enjoyed knowing her and she was very helpful to me. Let me tell you about a funny event: on the date of my birthday (16 February) Mary invited us at her place. She was going to cook pizzas but she didn't know how to start the oven. We ended up eating uncooked pizza! Please give my condolences to her family.
Jean Delor - Belgium
Gary & Christine (Stannard) Benson:
Dec 15, 2015 at 11:12 PM
Sorry to hear of the passing of Mary. Our families go way back when her family owned and operated the "Hobby Shop" years ago as well as living on the "hill" for many years. Although I did not know Mary very well but to exchange "hello" in passing I wanted to express our condolences to your family. She was gracious, friendly and beautiful. May your hearts be blessed with the treasure she was in the days to come.
Taya Morrow:
Dec 28, 2021 at 03:20 PM
Seems like my grandmother was a decent woman. I feel sorry I could never meet her.