Marion Grace LANGFORD

MARION GRACE LANGFORD (nee Barker) Offering profound poignancy for Thanksgiving, Marion Langford passed away on October 7, 2023, in Toronto in her 92nd year. Predeceased by her beloved husband of sixty-two years, J. Alex Langford, Q.C (dec' d 2019) and her parents, Helen and Elzwood Barker. Gratefully celebrating the gifts of her life and love are her children Mary (Langford) and J. Michael Rolland, Sarah Langford, Anne Langford and Peter Dotsikas, John and Eva (Kowalski) Langford, Jane A. Langford and Blair Freeman. Missing her whimsy and steady encouragement are her grandchildren: Megan Rolland, Alexandra and Hollie Rolland, John Rolland, Caileigh Langford and Sam Lavery, Rhiannon and Cameron Cotton O'Brien, Kate Dotsikas and Nicolas Masson, Emily Dotsikas, Ben Langford, Ana Langford, Henry Freeman and Charlotte Freeman. Eloise Cotton-O'Brien, Arthur, Rupert and Frederick Rolland will miss their Great Grandmother "GG" blowing them kisses. Marion is also honoured and fondly remembered by countless friends of all generations and from every life stage and the many organizations upon which her impact was immeasurable. Music was Marion's oxygen. We who knew and loved her were blessed to join a lifetime of singalongs marked by singular talent, creative energy, and infinite gumption. A cheerleader for all, Marion inspired followers: she was the original influencer. Independent, resilient, and innately curious, Marion was a pillar for her generation and ours. Marion began piano studies at an early age and, under the tutelage of Margaret Miller Brown, graduated at sixteen from the Royal Conservatory of Music (A.R.C. T). A prolific concert pianist, she performed glittering solo recitals at the Conservatory throughout her youth. Ever practical, she paid for her own education and early travel by teaching piano to countless neighbourhood children. Equally resonant in her early years was fishing with her grandparents on Lake Nipissing where her communion with the natural world found roots, followed by summers spent at Camp Inawendawin on Mary Lake. There, she earned early recognition for her leadership skills (and legendary camp pranks) and discovered what would become a lifelong love of sailing (the bigger the wind, the better!). Marion thrilled in naming bird songs and canoeing at dusk. Morning dip in her infamous floral bathing cap was as sure as a loon call. In her ninth decade, Marion continued to delight in the splendour of a garden; she retained a stunning childlike wonder of a perfect pink peony and a tall maple tree. A lifelong Torontonian, she was a proud graduate of Blythwood P.S, Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute, Victoria University in the University of Toronto (Vic 5T3) and the Toronto Teachers' College (Primary Specialist). She taught kindergarten full-time for numerous years in the Toronto District School Board and then, as a substitute teacher while raising her family and working in the community. Decorated as a Caring Canadian in 2003 by the Governor General of Canada, Marion was awarded the Sovereigns Medal, the highest honour for volunteer service an individual can receive in Canada. She led volunteers in the arts, education, the United Church of Canada, and her own community. Remarkably, wherever she shared her talents, she was ultimately chosen as Chair. The Langford family home was a hive of volunteer activity where organizational and community triumphs and crises were equally embraced with dogged determination, evidenced by telephone meetings into the wee hours of the morning, papers littering former nursery spaces and a full calendar that belied the need for sleep. A consummate archivist, Marion's scrapbooks are filled with certificates of appreciation, but she would say that the reward was the lifelong friendships with those who shared her passion for serving others. Among her proudest contributions include early lobbying for more French language in Canadian schools resulting in the creation of Canadian Parents for French, and French immersion offered in elementary schools; chairing a North Toronto task Force on child pornography which led to the Fraser Commission that recommended a law against child pornography, later passed by Parliament as an amendment to the Criminal Code; running her street book club for forty years; and serving her classmates at Victoria College for over 60 years as their permanent Associate President. But her singular volunteer contribution was her support for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. A sixty-five-year member of the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee, there was no position or portfolio she did not hold, to the benefit of generations of maestros, musicians and directors. Her greatest pride was instituting the Young Peoples Concert series in the 1960s (which continues today), despite the scepticism of then-management. An only child, Marion's wish for a large family was shared by her adoring husband, Alex, with whom she found a partner who matched her in devotion and enduring support. Their reverence for and commitment to one another's talents and passions enriched their long happy union, as did a shared love of travel, entertaining and continuous learning. As individuals, they were spectacular. Together, they were towering mentors. Did we mention Marion raised five children? The family home, her most important classroom, hummed to the beat of a piano metronome at dawn. Marion's legendary organization kept her large brood on the sweet side of chaos, with adventure and no shortage of mirth. We laughed as often as we raked leaves, decorated holiday cookies, or sped in the station-wagon enroute to a gallery, parade, or performance. She nurtured her children's passions and cherished their individuality. Mom, who had no siblings, asked only that we cherish ours. The birth of each grandchild was greeted triumphantly. All benefitted from her unconditional love, sense of adventure and the example of a life lived with purpose. She loved us up and left us with hearts that sing. "Joy is not meant to be a crumb" (Mary Oliver). The family would like to thank the 3W team at Belmont House for their kindness and care of Marion. Private family interment. A celebration of Marion's life will be held on January 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, 230 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee (https://tsovolunteers.square.site/tsvc-donation-in-memory-of-marion-langford) or J. Alexander & Marion (Barker) Langford Scholarship Fund at Victoria University in the University of Toronto (https://my.alumni.utoronto.ca/m_langford).