Marlene Lillian Kasstan

February 23, 1952 ­ September 1, 2022

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Marlene Lillian Kasstan on September 1, 2022, following a brief illness.

Marlene will be lovingly remembered by her sons; Patrick (Sharon) and Steven (Andrea), and their dad; Greg. Marlene's grandchildren; Seth, Timothy, and Sonia will miss their Grandma Marlene very much. Predeceased by her parents; William and Rose Rouse, sister; Sharon Commisso, and brother; Kevin Rouse. Marlene was a hero to her sisters; Donna Dudley (Wayne), Joy St.Pierre (Edo), and Julie-Ann Kirkpatrick. Numerous nieces and nephews will fondly remember Auntie Marlene.

Marlene was born on February 23, 1952. She attended Algonquin Public School and Hammarskjold High School, and graduated from Confederation College with a degree in Radiology. Her first job in the X-ray department at McKellar Hospital led to 38 years in the radiology field. Marlene had many accomplishments. Due to her clinical expertise and photographic memory, Marlene was voluntold to build the clinical Meditech modules that would eventually evolve into linking 27 hospitals in Northwestern and Northeastern Ontario, along with Ottawa. Bringing the massive projects of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) to fruition was an amazing accomplishment that Marlene was so proud of. Marlene's acquired expertise resulted in invitations to present the PACS system to hospitals throughout Canada and the United States. Marlene was a natural teacher and doctors and nurses alike benefitted from her patience and guidance. Even the first responders to whom she taught CPR on a part-time basis benefitted from her instruction.

To rest and relax, Marlene took on the challenge of white water kayaking. with the Thunder Bay Kayak and Canoe Club. She loved cheering on her grandchildren at their hockey games and you could always find her and the kids laying on their backs looking at whatever moon happened to be in the sky.

Family reunions were so important to Marlene that she was, and is, our only family member who never missed a reunion in 37 years. She was our ancestry guru. Marlene simply loved her family to the moon and back and the feeling was mutual.

The family wishes to thank the amazing staff at the TBRHSC, the University Hospital of London, and the LVAD Team at UHN Toronto for their knowledgeable, kind and compassionate care. Marlene was given a second chance and lived 13 more years thanks to you.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 in the WESTFORT CHAPEL 420 West Gore St at James with the Rev. Randy Boyd officiating. A private interment will take place in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, from 6:00pm ­ 8:00pm in the Westfort Chapel.

Donations in honour of Marlene designated to the TBRHSF- Cardiac Cath Lab would be appreciated by the family.

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