June 18, 1935 - March 21, 2021
Born June 18, 1935 in St. Gallen Switzerland
Passed March 21, 2021 in Campbell River B.C. Canada
Shocked and saddened are the only the words we can use to share the sudden passing of our Mom. In honor of our Mom, who lived a life by her own rules, we respectively and lovingly remember her unique personality.
The daughter of Walter & Lydia Ehrenbolger was lured from Alstatten Switzerland to the wilds of North Vancouver Island by, literally, the boy next door. She brought her style, sophistication, and artistry to a region unprepared for her tenacity. The challenges of a remote mill town only moderated her European city girl core slightly.
This is a woman who wore high heels on the float plane dock. A perfect complement to her husband of 60 years; her creativity and flair for living combined with his logic and knowledge-based approach to life have been the main influences on her children and their children.
Fluent in Swiss-German, French and English, she had the ability to speak five languages (and if she cursed in one of these languages it was never under her breath).
While no one would describe mom as an athlete, she was never idle. She was a fair curler and exchanged hiking in the Alps for long walks in the forest or along the seashore. She showed her love and commitment to her family, friends, and community through her unstinting efforts in adding beauty, flavor, and style to the world.
She would become interested in something: painting, scrapbooking, knitting, hand-made cards, stained glass and throw herself into it wholeheartedly, creating beautiful works. She was a true artist. If you knew our Mom then you likely have a personally knitted sweater or handmade greeting card in your house.
She contributed endlessly of her time and talents to support schools, church bazaars, friends, and neighbors; whoever and whenever needed. She cooked amazing traditional Swiss cuisine.
She wasn't particularly health conscious, without dad we're not sure we would ever have had vegetables, but boy was it delicious. We remember her confidence. She always had an opinion and it was always the only one that mattered. And she had a wonderful, and often sarcastic, sense of humour.
Marlys is survived by her husband of 60 years Werner Heeb. Her four children and their spouses: Yvonne (Ron), Evelyne (Brad), Michael (Barb) and Nicole (Tyler); her 10 grandchildren (Krista, Cory, Michael, Mandie, Haily, Hunter, Hunter (2), Brin, Nolan, Carter) and five great-grandchildren (Alice, Ruby, Thea, Levi, and Simone). She is also survived by Sam (her dog) and Mischa (her cat) who have both lived incredibly long lives thanks to her tireless love and devotion.
To remember our Mom we ask that you pour yourself a strong cup of coffee, spin an Engelbert Humperdinck record and click on "donate" for your local SPCA.
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me." Erma Bombeck