Obituary for Marlene Stratton
Marlene Stratton (née McKellar)
March 3, 1936 – August 6, 2021
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful mom and grandmother, (Shirley) Marlene Stratton. Our mom loved life and enjoyed it until her last day. She was an upbeat and happy lady. She was always planning the next adventure or outing with family and friends. It could be anything from a day at the beach, to her next trip. She lived life to the fullest. Mom loved her family, and we were always the centre of her attention. She will be missed forever by her loving children and grandchildren, including her daughter Sheryl (Grant) Kozub, granddaughter Lauren (David) Egesz, grandson Drew (Allie) Kozub, and her great-grandson Porter.
She will also be missed by her son Larry (Kim) Stratton, and grandsons Erik, Ian, and Kyle (Jenna) Stratton, and her son Bryan Stratton. Sadly, in 2017, her eldest son, our brother Douglas McKellar, passed away, leaving us all devastated.
She will also be missed by Jeremy Watson’s children, including his daughter Jennifer Watson (Brady) and children Nadia, Charlotte and Adrienne Gill, and his son John Watson and children Sarah, Katherine, Rachel, and James. Mom will be missed by her niece Mary-Sue (Richard) Atkinson and family. She will also be missed by her sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews on our dad’s side of the family.
Mom was born, and lived, in Winnipeg. We had a cottage in Arnes, where we shared many happy, family times. Later, in 1975, we moved permanently to Arnes. Mom moved to Arborg after her children were grown up. Mom worked as a secretary throughout her life and retired from the Arborg Manitoba Agriculture office. Mom worked full-time, raised four children, and kept a beautiful home and garden. She was an accomplished seamstress and made clothes for all her children and then later for her grandchildren. It was so exciting when she completed a new outfit for us.
She was an active member of the Arborg community and had so many friends. She volunteered for the Arborg Lions Club, Arborg & District Seniors Resource Council, Arborg Ladies Auxiliary, and the Arnes Ladies Aide, to name a few. She later met with the Arnes Ladies for many breakfast “get-togethers.” She was a member of the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, which was very important to her.
Mom met the love of her life in 1991. They were so happy together and made such a wonderful couple. They enjoyed many trips and loved the 16 beautiful years they had together. Mom and Jeremy enjoyed so many events with both our family and with Jeremy’s children and grandchildren. Sadly, in 2007, Jeremy passed away. Mom always kept in touch with Jeremy’s family after his passing.
Mom loved her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren, and she had a special bond with all of us. She always made Christmas and all of our birthdays so amazing and fun. Jeanne’s cakes were her go-to, and now it’s a family favourite at every special occasion. Mom was a fabulous cook. Sheryl, Grant, and Mom kept up with her family tradition, and we got together every Sunday for a delicious supper at either house. Mom babysat all her grandchildren and even watched Porter the week she passed away.
We all loved mom and grandma so much! Every conversation and visit ended with hugs, kisses and an, “I love you.”
Mom travelled with us, including to Mexico with Larry, Kim, and family, and she went to Hawaii several times with Sheryl, Grant, and Doug. Hawaii was one of her favourite places. She also went to B.C. to visit Bryan.
Mom was a classy and dignified lady. She always dressed so nice and had such good taste in everything she bought. She was a very strong lady and a great problem-solver. She was the rock of our family. Mom got her wish to live in her beautiful house until the day that she died, and we are all so grateful for that! We will miss her forever, but she said that we shouldn’t be sad, and we should remember all of the wonderful times we had together.
Thank you to her wonderful Dr. Kristen Heinrichs, all the caring Home Care staff, the kind paramedics, the RCMP, and MacKenzie Funeral Home. And a special thank you to James and Janet Semchyshyn for being the best neighbours ever!
Goodbye, dear Mom. Until we meet again.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mom’s memory to the Arborg Community Cemetery.
March 3, 1936 – August 6, 2021
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful mom and grandmother, (Shirley) Marlene Stratton. Our mom loved life and enjoyed it until her last day. She was an upbeat and happy lady. She was always planning the next adventure or outing with family and friends. It could be anything from a day at the beach, to her next trip. She lived life to the fullest. Mom loved her family, and we were always the centre of her attention. She will be missed forever by her loving children and grandchildren, including her daughter Sheryl (Grant) Kozub, granddaughter Lauren (David) Egesz, grandson Drew (Allie) Kozub, and her great-grandson Porter.
She will also be missed by her son Larry (Kim) Stratton, and grandsons Erik, Ian, and Kyle (Jenna) Stratton, and her son Bryan Stratton. Sadly, in 2017, her eldest son, our brother Douglas McKellar, passed away, leaving us all devastated.
She will also be missed by Jeremy Watson’s children, including his daughter Jennifer Watson (Brady) and children Nadia, Charlotte and Adrienne Gill, and his son John Watson and children Sarah, Katherine, Rachel, and James. Mom will be missed by her niece Mary-Sue (Richard) Atkinson and family. She will also be missed by her sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews on our dad’s side of the family.
Mom was born, and lived, in Winnipeg. We had a cottage in Arnes, where we shared many happy, family times. Later, in 1975, we moved permanently to Arnes. Mom moved to Arborg after her children were grown up. Mom worked as a secretary throughout her life and retired from the Arborg Manitoba Agriculture office. Mom worked full-time, raised four children, and kept a beautiful home and garden. She was an accomplished seamstress and made clothes for all her children and then later for her grandchildren. It was so exciting when she completed a new outfit for us.
She was an active member of the Arborg community and had so many friends. She volunteered for the Arborg Lions Club, Arborg & District Seniors Resource Council, Arborg Ladies Auxiliary, and the Arnes Ladies Aide, to name a few. She later met with the Arnes Ladies for many breakfast “get-togethers.” She was a member of the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, which was very important to her.
Mom met the love of her life in 1991. They were so happy together and made such a wonderful couple. They enjoyed many trips and loved the 16 beautiful years they had together. Mom and Jeremy enjoyed so many events with both our family and with Jeremy’s children and grandchildren. Sadly, in 2007, Jeremy passed away. Mom always kept in touch with Jeremy’s family after his passing.
Mom loved her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren, and she had a special bond with all of us. She always made Christmas and all of our birthdays so amazing and fun. Jeanne’s cakes were her go-to, and now it’s a family favourite at every special occasion. Mom was a fabulous cook. Sheryl, Grant, and Mom kept up with her family tradition, and we got together every Sunday for a delicious supper at either house. Mom babysat all her grandchildren and even watched Porter the week she passed away.
We all loved mom and grandma so much! Every conversation and visit ended with hugs, kisses and an, “I love you.”
Mom travelled with us, including to Mexico with Larry, Kim, and family, and she went to Hawaii several times with Sheryl, Grant, and Doug. Hawaii was one of her favourite places. She also went to B.C. to visit Bryan.
Mom was a classy and dignified lady. She always dressed so nice and had such good taste in everything she bought. She was a very strong lady and a great problem-solver. She was the rock of our family. Mom got her wish to live in her beautiful house until the day that she died, and we are all so grateful for that! We will miss her forever, but she said that we shouldn’t be sad, and we should remember all of the wonderful times we had together.
Thank you to her wonderful Dr. Kristen Heinrichs, all the caring Home Care staff, the kind paramedics, the RCMP, and MacKenzie Funeral Home. And a special thank you to James and Janet Semchyshyn for being the best neighbours ever!
Goodbye, dear Mom. Until we meet again.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mom’s memory to the Arborg Community Cemetery.