A WELL-KNOWN longtime resident passed away after time spent in the hospital earlier this month.
Marion Clift died in hospital April 12, five weeks after her 98th birthday and five weeks after she went into hospital.
“She went in the hospital on her birthday,” says her daughter Sally Smaha.
So this year, Marion didn't have a party at the Happy Gang Centre as she had in previous years, but her friends, who she played rumoli with on Sundays at the Happy Gang Centre, threw a party anyway and ordered Chinese food, says Sally.
Marion was born in Fernie B.C. and moved to Terrace with her husband Ev and their children, John and Sally, in 1952.
Ev managed a clothing store that he then bought and renamed Ev's Men's Wear. He passed away in 2002 at age 92.
Marion worked at the store for a while, mostly doing alterations as she was very good at it, says Sally.
Marion was very involved in the community with the hospital auxiliary for many years.
“She just likes socializing and just liked to help and did things at the United Church,” says Sally about why her mom got involved in community groups.
Marion belonged to the women's guild at the church, liked to bowl and play cribbage and bridge at the Happy Gang Centre.
She was a “really, really good gardener,” says Sally.
“Everywhere she lived, she made it look beautiful,” Sally says.
Marion loved to travel and went many places, some with her husband, who didn't like to travel, and later by herself or with friends.
Travel destinations included China and Europe and she took a lot of cruises.
Marion sewed and quilted at the Happy Gang Centre and liked to go to the BC Seniors Games, sometimes as an athlete and other times as a non-participant, says Sally.
A service will be held for Marion Clift at 2 p.m. this Thursday, April 21 at the United Church.