Marion Clarica Sutcliffe (Staples)
August 17, 1923 ~ January 12, 2016
Marion passed away peacefully in Creston, BC on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 in her 92nd year.
Marion was born to parents Georgina and Frank Staples in Creston, BC on August 17, 1923, the middle child of three siblings.
Marion graduated from Creston Valley High School in 1941 where she was an avid basketball and badminton player. After graduation, Marion, following in her father’s footsteps, moved to Vancouver, attending business school to become a bookkeeper and entrepreneur. Upon returning to Creston in the late 1940’s, Art began romancing Marion and they were married in January 1948. As life-long residents of Creston, Marion and Art were prominent and involved members of the community.
Marion was a Lionette, Rotary Ann, a member of the Creston Golf executive and infamous Nut Club chef. As an avid bridge player, Marion took every opportunity to sit down for a game and played well into her late 80’s. Marion, known for her outrageous sense of humour and quick wit, was the life of the party. She and Art were the consummate hosts, well known for their generosity and kindness. Marion took pride in setting a perfect table and loved to entertain. Marion’s curling and golf antics, both on and off the ice and fairways were well documented and her Tuesday Ladies’ Day at the golf course held special meaning.
For years, Marion ran ceramics classes in her home and MARION DID IT graced the bottoms of many ceramic pieces. For over 30 years, Marion was the celebrated ‘asparagus’ favourite and no trip to the retail stand would be complete without chatting to her.
In her teens, Marion’s dad purchased a piece of property on Kootenay Lake that was to become one of her favourite spots and she was privileged to ‘summer’ at the lake until she was 90. She was fortunate to travel the world in her early years and thoroughly enjoyed trips to Palm Springs and Reno in her later years.
It is, however, Marion’s high-spirited, generous nature, and her strength and independence that will continue to live on.
In 2011, she was pre-deceased by her sister Helen, and in 2000 by her husband Art.
She is survived by her younger brother Dick (Vera) Staples; daughter Leeann (Russell) Miller; granddaughters Erin and Dawn; son Doug (Dianne) and three grandsons, Kenton, Connor and Brett. Marion is also survived by a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends, young and old.
A Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 315 15 Avenue North, Creston, BC at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 13, 2016.
Sincere thanks to the staff at Swan Valley Lodge for their dedicated and kind care of Marion.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the BC Cancer Society.