Marion Kent

A loving mother and grandmother Marion Kent (Fulkerson) passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at age 93. Grandma was born Marion Jane Houston on February 1, 1917 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She trained as a Registered Nurse at Grace Memorial Hospital in Winnipeg and later settled in Fort William, Ontario in 1942 with her husband Murray Fulkerson. She retired from McKellar Hospital in 1979 after 35 years service including roles as Head Nurse of the Operating Room and an Instructor in the McKellar Hospital School of Nursing School. Grandma was a hard-working, strong-willed and feisty woman. Her quick wit was experienced even by those who came to know Grandma late in life through her final stages in hospital. A long time resident of South McKellar Street, she later lived with her son Farrell and his family on Mountain Road while wintering at the Tarpon Lakeview Mobile Home Park in Palm Harbor, Florida for 28 years. Most recently she was a resident of Glacier Ridge Retirement Home in Thunder Bay. Grandma loved to play cards and was an avid bridge and cribbage player. She taught all her grandchildren to play cards and was proud to have attained a "perfect 29 hand" in cribbage. Grandma also loved to travel. In retirement she took many trips throughout Europe with friends and more recently enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Scandinavia and South America with her daughter Janet Lynne, grandson Ryan and her sister Jean. Grandma's family was her joy in life, especially playing such an important role in the lives of her four grandchildren. Marion is survived by her daughter Janet Lynne Stammers (nee Fulkerson) of Toronto, son Farrell (Joanne) of Thunder Bay, grandchildren Ryan Stammers of Ottawa, Dr. David Stammers of Winnipeg, Jamie Marie and Riley Jean Fulkerson of Thunder Bay, sisters Jean Daniel from Hamiota, Manitoba and Jeanette Gerow of Souris, Manitoba, brother Jack Houston (Gwen) of Kenton, Manitoba, sister-in law Florence Houston of Red Rock, niece Heather Houston of Thunder Bay, nephew David Houston and family of Red Rock, dearest friend Olene St. Onge of Thunder Bay and numerous other relatives in Manitoba. Marion was predeceased by her husband Murray Fulkerson in 1953, son-in-law John Stammers (Toronto) in 2006, parents William and Janet Houston, brothers Jim and wife Leah and William and wife Margaret Houston, brother Tom Houston, brothers-in-law: Frank Gerow, Jim Daniel and Jack Fulkerson and sister-in-law Eleanor Peacock. The family thanks the doctors and 4N staff of St. Joseph's Palliative Care and Dr. Catherine Mitchell, Dr. Arlene Capricci and TBRHSC 2B staff for the extra attention, support, care and compassion they provided so tenderly to Grandma. As per Grandma's wishes, no funeral service will be held. Family and friends are invited to drop in to the home of Marion's son Farrell Fulkerson at 1900 Mountain Road anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2011 to help the family remember and celebrate Grandma's life. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Northern Cancer Fund would be appreciated. Cremation has taken place and a private interment will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street at James. Please sign the on-line condolences at everestofthunderbay.com "