Marion Theresa (née O’Hanley) Cleary
January 21, 2021
1926 – 2021
On Monday, May 10, 1926, Marion Theresa O’Hanley was born to Angus (1882-1935) and Pearl (1885-1953). Raised on the family farm in Bornish, Ontario, with her treasured brother Johnny and her sisters/friends, Claire, Mary, Kay, Jeannie and Margaret. Marion shared many stories over the years of times on the farm and school in Parkhill. With the help of her brother Johnny, who by then was running the family farm, Marion came to London to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She graduated as an RN in 1948, and was very proud of her chosen profession. Marion met Patrick Bernard Cleary (1922-1992) during her time in training and they married on October 23, 1948 after graduation. Soon came their three daughters: Colleen, Patricia and Bette-Anne. Marion and Patrick bought their house on Manitoba Street in 1955, and if those walls could talk…. Many memories were made, friends and family always welcome. Christmases, bridal showers, Easter egg hunts, birthday parties, parties for no reason at all, and countless games of euchre. Marion worked at the London Psychiatric Hospital, where co-workers became close friends. She left the hospital and helped her daughters with childcare before starting work with Nurses Care in 1983. Marion became one of the directors within a few years and this kept her very busy, finding and hiring nurses for much needed in-home care; she was always on the phone. She officially retired from nursing in 1996. Marion was a fantastic Grandma; not your typical Grandma. She had her own style and all the Grandkids had their own special relationship with her. Chad, Johanna, Natalie, Marcia, Ryan and Brent will hold their memories close. Grandma gave no mercy at Scrabble or Cribbage just because you were a kid, “you were learning”, she said. Grandma was not renowned for her cooking, and so, many meals and memories were made at the Del-Mar Restaurant up the street. Marion was the much-loved mother-in-law to William Carlson, Gino Reale and Donald Carlson. Grandmother-in-law to Justin Plet, Greg Mills, Jeff Bouwman and Kristy Carlson. Sister-in-law to Annie O’Hanley, Conrad Eckert and Wallace (Bunt) Davis, Jack and Marie Cleary, Bill and Hazel Cleary, and Jim and Jessie Cleary. Daughter-in-law to Bill and Minnie Cleary. Marion enjoyed and was entertained watching her great-granddaughters Hannah, Brynne, Avery, Irelyn and Harper at play. She was the much-loved “Aunt Mac” to many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews as well. She cherished them all and was very saddened for the ones that were gone too soon. Marion had many cherished friends. People she travelled with, went bowling with, played darts with, important people that she lost along the way. She belonged to the Imperial Veterans – Army, Navy and Air Force #229 Club and was part of the Ladies Auxiliary. She was a competitor, going to provincial championships in both darts and euchre. Marion had beautiful penmanship and kept impeccable records. If any of us want to know when we lost our first tooth or broke a bone, she wrote it all down in one of her journals. On Thursday, January 21, 2021, Marion lost a short battle with COVID-19. At 94 years old, she was just too fragile to fight anymore. She had a fair share of health issues over the years, but like everything else in life, she took it in stride and never, ever complained. A Celebration of Life will take place when COVID-19 restrictions lift.
Marion: daughter, sister, nurse, wife, mother, in-law, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Aunt Mac and friend.
Marion loved all animals and had many fur babies over the years. Therefore, in her memory, please consider donating to the Humane Society London & Middlesex.
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Will always remember the trips to Florida to visit Aunt Mac and Grandpa, and listening to their banter over the cross word puzzles. She will be missed.
Colleen, Patrica and Betty Anne we offer our sincere sympathies for the loss of your mom. Aunt Mac was dearly beloved. She was an inspiration to me always. Generous, kind and good humoured. You and your whole big extended family will surely miss her. Love, Aunt Elaine and Uncle Bob, Andrew, Eric and Dave
I remember many good times with Mac, at the Manitoba St. house, and at our place here in Georgetown. As her husband's Patty's dementia progressed, I remember a visit here with my parents. Patty would win a card game over and over, without knowing what he was playing. We were accepting of the Cleary family as it was, which I think was important and comforting for Mac. After Patty passed, followed by my mother, her sister, a year later, my father and Mac travelled to Florida every winter to shave off the cold. They had ongoing "discussions", with my father taking the "alternative" view, just to stir things up. I remember a news story of the day which was the Harding/Kerrigan Figure Skating controversy, that led to debate for that the entire winter down south. Mac had a childhood illness that required a heart valve replacement. It was sourced from a pig. My father, every day at breakfast while eating bacon said he was "eating her cousin!" Mac and my father would go to the casino when they were south, which was a few states over. It was a lost leader for the casino; pay a few bucks, get a bus ride, a buffet meal and a gambling token. Mac and my father would spend the whole day in the restaurant talking, then when it was time to head back they would play the token and take their winnings. My father liked to wear his Deer Hat on his trips to Florida. It was a Christmassy type hat, a deer head with antlers and decorations. The story was that he was exiting an airplane with the hat on, and all the spectators cheered! Mac was two steps behind and did not know him! Mac was a good natured person, it was a pleasure to have known her and a privilege to be family. Sad to hear of her passing. She will be missed.
Colleen,Patricia and Bette- Anne, We were saddened to read of your moms death. We spoke of Marion not long ago as we drove by their home on Manitoba St where we shared many New Years Day Dinners and lots of fun memories. I (Kathryn) worked for Marion at Nurses Care back in the 90's and loved the stories we shared. Mom and dad (Jack and Audrey) were such great friends with them. Marion will be missed, hugs to all.
Colleen, Patricia, and Bette-Anne, my deepest condolences. Your mother will be sorrowfully missed. Aunt Mac, as I knew her for many years before hearing her first name, was truly a kind person. I was fortunate to room and board at her house while starting studies for the priesthood. She had a love for animals as seen with her cat Tessa and also frequently replenished bird feeders. Her great love was her family and friends. Her memory was impeccable. After losing my Grandma Claire, I thought I would never hear about life in the farm in Bornish, well, Aunt Mac had more than plenty of stories to share. She always stayed in contact with friends and family and each week when I returned for classes in London, she would fill me in on the joy she had with her great-grandchildren. She was truly remarkable. Aunt Mac, may you rejoice with Christ and all of your family and friends who have gone before you.
To all of Marion's Family my personal Condolences & my Families. Also from the Ladies Auxiliary ANAF Imperial Unit 229 London Sympathy from all in the loss of your Dear Mother.. I am almost the only 1 left that remembers your Mom very fondly from the Ladies Auxiliary. My Mother, Mabel , Eve, Marie (your Mom's friend) & some others were the Executive Board of the Ladies when I became of age to join the Auxiliary. from them all I learned as they would say & true, Proper way of the doing the Executive positions of the Auxiliary! Now as President & previous, also other Executive positions I have always followed the directions they taught me. We had a lot of fun times together and always have missed them all very much. As they say "The Good Old Days". Such a beautiful Notice you wrote, had me remembering a lot of events with your Mom. She worked with my Father at the Hospital as well. "The Nightie Card Ladies" at Conventions & the Funny Stories they would tell. Last I saw & talked with your Mom for quite awhile was at another Family passing when a Memorial was held in the Club rooms on Adelaide. A wonderful chat, never forgotten. My thoughts are with you all. I have Wonderful Memories of your Mom. She was a Beautiful lovely Lady, I already missed her & now will miss her more but have all those Memories. Hope you receive this message as Late finding out about your Loss of Mom. Also that they will give you my email, you have my permission to ask for it. In my thoughts Sincerely. Judi Helle (nee Howell-Harries) I pray you receive.
(Donated to Humane Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to ANAF Imperial Unit 229 Ladies Auxiliary)
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Our deepest condolences on the loss of your mom, Colleen, Patricia and Bette-Anne. We do remember many large family gatherings at the home on Manitoba Street, especially at the New Year. What a lovely, large family you have to honour her memory and have some good storytelling, too! Please update us when Bette-Anne travels home. We would all love to see you. Fond memories and lots of love! Aunt Marie, Karen, Andy, Brad, Ally and Dan
~ Karen and Andrew Waller & Marie Cleary