Marylee U. HOLMES

June 05, 1982 - July 24, 2025

Although our loss is profound, we celebrate a life lived boldly and beautifully. Marylee's love and presence endures in her four remarkable daughters, and in every life she touched.
Marylee was born in Kirkland, Quebec, the 5th of 6 children into a large and loving extended family. She grew up in Scarborough, Ontario from age 1 to 13, and attended École Saint-Jean-de-Lalande. In 1995, she moved with her family to Nanaimo, attending high school at Woodlands Secondary. She entered the education program at VIU in 2000 where she met Mike Holmes. After a year, she transferred to UVic where she completed her teaching degree in 2006.
Marylee and Mike were married that same year, for 14 years. Together they created and raised their 4 amazing daughters: Violet (18), Sofia (16), Lucy (14), and Josephine (11 ½). They shared a deep commitment to parenting with intention and care and celebrated their children's uniqueness as individuals.
Marylee was a valued French Immersion teacher in School District 68 since 2008, devoting most of those years to École North Oyster Elementary where she taught kindergarten and developed the outdoor education program. Marylee went on to complete her Master's in Educational Leadership in 2023.
Although Marylee had many roles in our community, the one she was most proud of was being an active mom to her 4 girls as they enjoyed camping, hiking, backpacking, and swimming. Along with her family, she experienced all that the west coast ocean, mountains, lakes, forests, beaches, and rivers had to offer. Marylee was a proud member of, and advocate for, the LGBTQ2S+ community. All her colours will continue to shine in the hearts of her family: Stephanie Greive (mom), Trevor Price (step-dad for 35 years), sister Connie Griffin-Montero (Manny, nieces Madeleine 23, Julia 21, Kathleen 17, April 9), brother Michael Griffin (Michelle, nieces Isabella 21, Ava 19), brother Stephen Griffin, brother Lucas Griffin (Sarah, Jay 17, Erik 15, Ethan 11 ½), brother Timothy Greive-Price.
Alongside her children and immediate family, Marylee will also be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her many aunts, uncles and cousins in Ontario and BC, and the girls' dad, Mike and his family.
On Marylee's next birthday, a private garden party and celebration of Marylee's 43 years with us will be held on June 5, 2026, for family, extended family and close lifelong friends at her parents' home, by invitation only. "A good cup of tea" and other superb refreshments will be provided by her brother, Luke (Chef's Course). In the meantime, a small celebratory homemade pizza night will be held by her brother Luke on September 20, 2025, for Marylee's girls and their west coast cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Our heartfelt appreciation for the personalized yet professional support Marylee and her family received over the past four and a half months from the BC Cancer Clinic, the Nanaimo Home and Community Care Palliative Care team, the third-floor staff and the Palliative Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, and Nanaimo Hospice Society. Please send donations in Marylee's name to Nanaimo Community Hospice (nanaimohospice.com) in lieu of flowers.