Marel Fielding

Sue, Clare and Kirsten; My extended family is sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. She was a living legend in her own right. We hold her and all three of you in very high regard. Mom has donated to St George's in her memory. Mom still talks about helping refugees with your mom and traveling to Scotland with her. Mom's Parkinson Disease prevents her from expressing her sorrow with you directly. I have taken the liberty to act on her behalf. With respect; David Payne Power of Attorney for June Payne

my condolences to Marel’s family. She was a true warrior and survived all that the healthcare system could throw at her. She was a great role model and mentor during those restructuring times. We also shared a lot of laughs and those times I remember in particular. So goodbye my friend ,you have earned your rest.

To the friends and family of Marel, condolences from the Ontario Physiotherapy Association. We are sorry to hear about her passing. Marel was President of the OPA from 1990-1991, and a great leader and role model for many volunteers and members, not only as President but in her professional roles as a physiotherapist. Marel has left a lasting legacy in the profession through her work and through volunteering. We join in celebrating her accomplishments, and share gratitude for her dedication and impact.

Marel, always had an amazing amount of energy which she utilized in so many different aspects of her life. She was a well respected clinician, manager and volunteer in her church and community. We, her ex-UH physiotherapists enjoyed our yearly gatherings when we would catch up on her latest escapades and stories of her girls and her travels. You truly were one of a kind. God bless and keep you close in Heaven. Marg Vaz

Sue, Clare, and Kirsten, I know your mom hated “a fuss” as she so often said to me, so I will keep this short. I have known Marel as a fellow parishioner of St. George’s Anglican Church for many years. Marel was just an incredible person, giving so much of herself to the service of others, yet still managing to enjoy an amazing amount of hobbies and activities. Marel was also responsible for my joining LIRSA. This gave me the chance to find my middle daughter Safi- a gift that there are not enough ways to say thank you for. Marel, you were indeed a good and faithful servant. I will miss you more than I can explain.

Dear friends and family of Marel, I just have a few words of thanks for my opportunity to know and work with Marel. I was very fortunate be hired at University Hospital as a new graduate physiotherapist, this being the 40th anniversary of my graduation. Marel was a great leader and mentor, and I benefited from her service on the Board of Directors and as President of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association, and her support in my volunteer roles there also. In later years of my career in Windsor, I found myself restructured out of a position, and accepted to a Masters program at Western. Marel very kindly allowed me to be a tenant in her home several nights a week for two years while I completed the program. This allowed me to find the next steps in my career and also to learn about all the great work Marel was involved with in her retirement - at the food bank, in her church, in support of refugees, and much more. We have exchanged letters and Christmas cards all these years since. Marel was a great light in our world, and I am blessed and grateful to have known and worked with her. She will be dearly missed. Helen Johnson, Windsor, ON

I know Marel didn't want a 'life story' in her obituary, but the 'force of nature' that was Marel was such an important part of so many things that it only seems right to remind us all of some of them. I met Marel when she arrived at St. George's Anglican Church from Stratford and she has been an integral part of so many ministries there that there are too many to mention. She was also my first boss as a new physiotherapist at UH and a mentor in my career. Another love of hers was Scottish Country Dancing which I shared with her for many years and I had the honour of wearing a dress of hers to the Centenary Ball of the RSCDS in Kitchener on Saturday where it meant she was there with us in spirit. The list could on with her involvement in curling and bowling and golf, the refugee ministry mentioned in another tribute, Girl Guides for many years and I'm sure I've missed a lot. She will be missed by so many people and the world is a lesser place without her.

A donation has been made to St. George's Anglican Church. Message from the donator: Sue, Clare, Kirsten, I knew your mom through LIRSA. I will always think of her as the "energizer bunny" in human form. I marveled how she ran up and down the stairs at her home, engaged in a number of different sports, and activities, worked on tons of committees, volunteered her time at the food bank, and still had the energy to travel and visit with each of you and your families. She was a marvel. I will miss her guidance and her no-nonsense approach to situations that would arise as our group worked with newcomers. She led LIRSA as long as I have been involved and was a wonderful leader, helper, and friend. Please know that I will always remember her for her kindness, her willingness to help others... and her energy! Peace to each of you.