Margaret C. PAISLEY

PAISLEY, Margaret C.
Marnie was born in Berlin, Ontario November 1, 1906, and died in Waterloo on June 11, 2003.
She was the daughter of Talmon and Martha Rieder (Anthes) both of whom predeceased her, as did her dear sister Helen Henderson, her brother Edward, and her brother Paul. She was also predeceased by her husband Elmer and her great-granddaughter, Victoria Paisley D'Agostino.
Marnie's life was anchored by a deep faith which carried her through adversity but also inspired her to remarkable accomplishment. She graduated with an arts degree from the University of Toronto in 1929. Following her graduation she joined Emma Kaufman in Japan where she spent a year helping to build the YWCA in that country. Her travels through the far east had a lasting impact on her life thereafter.
She was always active in the United Church, sometimes as a Sunday School teacher, or as a summer camp director, or as a CGIT leader. Later, after the family moved to Toronto, she led a Family Life Education program which pioneered a nursery school for working mothers.
She was a fine athlete, who played women's ice hockey at the University of Toronto. She was an inspiring teacher. She taught high school Guidance and English at KCI and at Waterloo Collegiate between 1955 and 1969 where her warmth and generous spirit fostered lasting friendships, and her devotion to young people was an inspiration.
Her compassion, integrity and wisdom made her a good listener and counsellor even into the last days of her life. She shared her knowledge of wild flowers, trees and astronomy, just as she shared herself with all who needed help, or love, or an arm to lean on. Caring for others came as natural as breathing itself. Her last breath is gone but her memory will continue to shape the lives of her friends and family. She has surely joined the fellowship of the Saints.
She is lovingly remembered by her children Penny Hobson and her husband Richard of Baden, and Ian and his wife Linda of Aurora, and by her grandchildren Gregory, Martha, Aaron, Matthew, Jill and Margaret. She also leaves six adoring great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews, especially Bonnie Passmore and Beth Henderson who found a nurturing substitute mother in Aunt Marnie after the death of their own mother when they were very young.
Marnie's family will receive friends at the Edward R. Good Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, in Waterloo, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2003. A service to celebrate her life will be held in the chapel of the funeral home on Monday, June 23, 2003, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Harold Stead officiating. Following cremation, a family committal service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener.
Following the service, friends and relatives are invited to the Reception Room of the funeral home for refreshments and a time to visit with the family.
Those wishing to make memorial donations are encouraged to consider the Kitchener-Waterloo YWCA, or the Victoria D'Agostino Children's Fund at the K-W Community Foundation. Donations can be arranged through the funeral home, phone (519) 745-8445 or www.edwardrgood.com