Marlene (Mom/Grammy/Auntie Marlene/Sister) was born in Saskatoon on Sept. 28, 1935, the daughter of Lil and Joe Thomson. Marlene attended Mayfair School and City Park Collegiate. Marlene loved singing and was a member of the Christ Church choir for many years. In 1952, the family moved to Regina. As Marlene had always loved singing, she began taking private singing lessons. She also was a member of the St. Luke’s Anglican Church choir and in later years St. Mary’s Church choir.
She continued taking singing lessons during these years and began performing at many festivals, recitals, weddings, TV and even with a band. After her marriage to William (Bill) Flett of Kronau and the birth of Pam and Jeff, she became a homebody and loved being at home with them.
In 1964, the family moved to Yorkton where Bill had taken over Northern Motors. In August of 1964, the twins Patricia and Roberta were born. In 1978, she returned to work as a secretary for the Yorkton Public School Board #159 at the Board office and became school secretary at Simpson and Columbia Schools. Marlene loved her work and over the years made so many special friends.
Marlene’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the center of her life and she loved visiting with them. Her visits with them were always too short. Marlene retired from Columbia School on December 31, 1995 and since then did a lot of travelling (especially by train) and thoroughly enjoyed her retired life.
Her ex-partner Lorne Hootz and her spent many a happy time camping in their 5th wheel and then in later years spending winter months in Victoria and southern US. Marlene loved life and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Mom moved to Sidney in 2013 to be with her three daughters. We had such wonderful adventures (road trips) around Vancouver Island over the next 13 years. She loved texting with her friends from across Canada (mostly about sports!) and loved living in Sidney By The Sea. We held her 90th “surprise” birthday party last September with friends and family from across Canada and celebrated her life then while she was still with us. She was so happy!
Predeceased by her father in 1991 and mother in 1996 and her brother Glenn, she leaves to mourn her passing, her daughter Pam of Sidney, son Jeff (Gina) of Yorkton and twins Patricia/Roberta of Sidney BC. and her sister Jill of Lunenburg NS. Her 6 granddaughters Carlee, Chelsea, Heather, Justine, Kassandra and grandson Mackenzie and her great granddaughters Maisee, Lochlyn, great grandson Finn and her six nieces and nephews will also miss Grammy/Auntie Marlene.
Mom left us a note “I have loved you all with all my heart all of my life and I have thoroughly enjoyed all our great times together” and we all felt the same.