Obituary for Marlene Avril Saunders (Vangotsinoven)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mom, Marlene Avril Saunders (Vangotsinoven). Marlene passed away peacefully at the George Boyack Care Facility in Calgary during the early hours of Thursday, January 11, 2024, surrounded by members of her family.
Marlene was our beloved Mom, Wife, Grandmother, Sister and Auntie. She was the beloved wife of Lawrence Saunders. She was mother to four children, Kelvin (Kelly) and Judy (Unsworth) Saunders of Airdrie, AB, Kenton (Kent) Saunders of Calgary, AB, Kim (Saunders) and Mike Hamilton of Calgary, AB. She was predeceased by Lawrence Saunders (husband), Alfred Vangotsinoven father), Anna Vangotsinoven (mother) and Marvin Vangotsinoven (brother).
For those that knew Marlene recognised that she loved being involved in the community which included the Triwood Community Association where she served twice as it’s President. Our Mom was instrumental in forming the Gold Mitt Softball League in Calgary serving as their first President. She had a profound impact on Softball in Alberta both on an off the field, she volunteered her services to the following leagues and associations: Sports Director and President of the Triwood Community Association; Secretary of; Calgary Minor Ball, Calgary Minor Soccer, Calgary Minor Lacrosse Association; Category Director of Calgary Minor Hockey; Governor of Calgary Minor Softball; Commissioner of Alberta Softball Association; Statistician of the Bill Powers Men’s Hockey League.
She won many special awards for her efforts including the following in the 1970s: Rose Kohn Memorial Award; Henry Viney Sportsman Award; City Parks and Provincial Government awards for community work; and Triwood Sportswoman of the year. In the 1980’s she received the following awards, Calgary Booster award; Calgary Minor Softball Association-Named a trophy after her called the Marlene Saunders trophy for Dedication to softball; Little League Baseball Woman of the year award; Honorary Lifetime membership award Calgary speedskating club; Alberta Softball Provincial Coach of the year. In 1998 Marlene was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame for her many achievements.
Over all of the achievements listed above, Mom loved her grandchildren, Ashley (Hamilton) and Cole Fraser of Calgary, Zachary (Zach) Hamilton of Calgary and, Theodore (Ted) Unsworth of Airdrie the most. She spent many happy hours and years with Ashley and Zach in Calgary playing a huge part in their lives. They will always remember her for her love, guidance, caring and countless memories they shared.
We will remember her zest for her family, anything sports related and all games, she had an excellent sense of humor and loved laughing at herself most. She was a kind woman to everyone she met and fierce protector of her family and friends.
A Celebration of Marlene’s Life will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Triwood Community Association Hall (2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW, Calgary,). Mom was a down to earth person and would have loved it if you all came dressed casually.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marlene’s memory to her other love, Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Marlene with the family, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
Marlene was our beloved Mom, Wife, Grandmother, Sister and Auntie. She was the beloved wife of Lawrence Saunders. She was mother to four children, Kelvin (Kelly) and Judy (Unsworth) Saunders of Airdrie, AB, Kenton (Kent) Saunders of Calgary, AB, Kim (Saunders) and Mike Hamilton of Calgary, AB. She was predeceased by Lawrence Saunders (husband), Alfred Vangotsinoven father), Anna Vangotsinoven (mother) and Marvin Vangotsinoven (brother).
For those that knew Marlene recognised that she loved being involved in the community which included the Triwood Community Association where she served twice as it’s President. Our Mom was instrumental in forming the Gold Mitt Softball League in Calgary serving as their first President. She had a profound impact on Softball in Alberta both on an off the field, she volunteered her services to the following leagues and associations: Sports Director and President of the Triwood Community Association; Secretary of; Calgary Minor Ball, Calgary Minor Soccer, Calgary Minor Lacrosse Association; Category Director of Calgary Minor Hockey; Governor of Calgary Minor Softball; Commissioner of Alberta Softball Association; Statistician of the Bill Powers Men’s Hockey League.
She won many special awards for her efforts including the following in the 1970s: Rose Kohn Memorial Award; Henry Viney Sportsman Award; City Parks and Provincial Government awards for community work; and Triwood Sportswoman of the year. In the 1980’s she received the following awards, Calgary Booster award; Calgary Minor Softball Association-Named a trophy after her called the Marlene Saunders trophy for Dedication to softball; Little League Baseball Woman of the year award; Honorary Lifetime membership award Calgary speedskating club; Alberta Softball Provincial Coach of the year. In 1998 Marlene was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame for her many achievements.
Over all of the achievements listed above, Mom loved her grandchildren, Ashley (Hamilton) and Cole Fraser of Calgary, Zachary (Zach) Hamilton of Calgary and, Theodore (Ted) Unsworth of Airdrie the most. She spent many happy hours and years with Ashley and Zach in Calgary playing a huge part in their lives. They will always remember her for her love, guidance, caring and countless memories they shared.
We will remember her zest for her family, anything sports related and all games, she had an excellent sense of humor and loved laughing at herself most. She was a kind woman to everyone she met and fierce protector of her family and friends.
A Celebration of Marlene’s Life will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Triwood Community Association Hall (2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW, Calgary,). Mom was a down to earth person and would have loved it if you all came dressed casually.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marlene’s memory to her other love, Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Marlene with the family, please visit www.choicememorial.com.