Obituary of Marion Isobel Row (née Wass)

April 28, 1925 - February 28, 2021 Marion was born in Granton near London, Ontario to Bertha (Taylor) and Jabez Morley Wass. A midlife surprise to Mother and Dad and adolescent siblings Mervin and Lorraine, from Marion’s first to final moments she was surrounded by family and friends who loved her. For her, family came first. Marion grew up on a farm and had a practical streak to show for it, matched with a good-natured disposition. After high school in St. Mary’s, Marion moved to the big city to spend 3 years training at London’s Victoria Hospital School of Nursing where she made life-long friends with Dorothy Whittier. She met Albert (Bill) Row on a blind date and for him, it was love at first sight. For Marion, that took a second date. She and Bill married December 28, 1946 and she wore a fur coat on the plane to their New York, Washington and Niagara Falls honeymoon - a cherished memory for the farm-girl. But being married in those days meant that she was not allowed to practise as an RN. The couple had 3 children, Sherry, Jennifer and William. Marion worked hard: she raised the kids (along with Great Danes and Persian cats), supported Bill’s photography business, looked after their rental apartments, nursed once the kids were older, and always had home-made dessert on hand. She also enjoyed herself: they regularly spent time with family and friends visiting the cottage or beach, and Bill always made sure she had a nice dress for a night out. Marion was always a church-goer – singing in the choir at Granton’s United church, worshipping with her Anglican husband at Anglican and United churches, then on her own at First Baptist Church, where the services reminded her of Granton. Bill wouldn’t wait to retire to see the world. They travelled internationally and drove their camper all over Canada, the United States, and Mexico together. It’s a good thing they didn’t wait; Marion, only 61, lost Bill to a heart attack. She never stopped loving him, they were true partners, but she didn’t give up on life. She enjoyed her 6 grandchildren (Megan, Hillary, Geoffrey, Jacqueline, Julia, and Jacques), travelled, studied art history and many other subjects, visited Jennifer’s family in Chicago, learned to drive and bought a car, opened her home to international students, volunteered, and happily socialized with whoever was at hand. Yet she was also a home-body at heart. And she always looked after her own health – walking, nutritious food, and one 4 pm beer per day (she disliked beer until her visit to Munich’s Oktoberfest!). After 70 years in London, living near downtown, then Oakridge Acres, then Cherryhill, in her final 6 years Marion continued to thoroughly enjoy life at Toronto’s Chartwell Trilogy LTC home near Sherry & Peter. They would take her to church every Sunday and to their home for lunch and a beer. Although she often said "It’s no fun getting old", the farm-girl often voiced gratitude for the caring, friendly and competent Trilogy staff who surrounded her, being served her meals like in a restaurant, for every recreation program going, for her art-filled room with its sunrise view, even if it was rising over a Home Depot roof! And she delighted in her first great grandchild, Lachlan. Marion’s body declined far ahead of her spirit, which remained strong and positive to the end. She survived Covid without symptoms in January, diagnosed the day after receiving her first vaccine. She was soon cleared by Public Health but then the day after receiving her second vaccine, she was diagnosed with pneumonia. Her body slowed to a peaceful halt over the next three weeks. Late Sunday night she passed until we meet again, with her hands held by family members. We miss her already. Lord, now you let your servant go in peace. Funeral service will take place on Friday, March 5, 2021 at First Baptist Church, 568 Richmond Street, London, ON at 11:30 a.m. with visitation from 11-11:30 a.m. If you wish to attend the visitation or service please call the Logan Funeral Home (519) 433-6181 or email loganfuneralhome@execulink.com and reference "Row" in the subject line. Include your name and phone number for all members of your group. *NOTE*: As per the COVID-19 directives of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, attendance numbers will be restricted and masks are mandatory. For those wishing to view Marion's funeral service the service will be streamed online CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (please follow the instructions). Thank you for your patience while we sorted out technical difficulties. The service is now available. Interment to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Donations to First Baptist Church would be appreciated. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca Services: Service Date Friday, March 5, 2021 Service Time 11:30 a.m. Service Location First Baptist Church, 568 Richmond Street, London Visitation Friday, March 5, 2021. Visitation Time 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Visitation Location First Baptist Church, 568 Richmond Street, London Burial Location Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, ON Requested Charity First Baptist Church