Obituary for Marilyn Jacqueline Nahirney (Vaniersel)
Nahirney, Marilyn
August 10, 1959 - August 20, 2019
Our beloved left us, in rainless skies and a cool moon.
Never a tear, she did not dispute nor decline her call back to our Lord.
She. instead laid still, in the fragrant dawn of August
Breath like a soft breeze, subtle and gentle, as He willed it.
And our eyes burn
Yet, the love of the heart and soul endure no separation.
To the most loving and holy she has returned, and to Him is ours.
Marilyn was born August 10, 1959 in Calgary to Jack and Francis Vaniersel, new immigrants from Tilburg Holland. She was born minutes ahead of her lifelong best friend and identical twin sister Marjorie. Marilyn grew up in Bowness, Calgary, alongside her other siblings Connie, Leon, John and Frank. Marilyn’s early years were wonderful, and full of camping trips, picnics at Bowness Park and playing with her dog King in the tall grasses along the train-tracks beside her childhood home.
Marilyn attended St. Francis High School in her teenage years where she met husband Eugene, of 38 years. Shortly afterwards they married and started a new family and life together with children Jessica, Jacqueline and Marissa.
Marilyn was a busy working mom, settling in a telecommunications career at TELUS for 34 years. She will be remembered though by her commitment and to her family and children. Rain or shine she attended, prepared and supported her children with school events, dance recitals, and piano concerts.
In her free time Marilyn engaged in many hobbies. She enjoyed being physically active and was an avid long-distance runner, having completed various road-races and half-marathons. She also enjoyed orienteering, skiing, swimming, and bike-riding. Marilyn was a very creative individual and spent many hours quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, painting and ceramic painting. Marilyn will be remembered for her keen memory, and never missing a detail. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and sudoku, which kept her mind nimble.
Marilyn’s life changed forever with the birth of her grandchildren. By-far the joy of her life could be seen by the love and attentiveness she embraced her grandchildren with. She never forgot or missed a birthday or occasion with the kids, and adored spoiling them, and especially spending time playing with them at her favorite outing, Bowness Park. Nobody could put a baby to sleep like Oma could, with her snuggles and soft hum of “you are my sunshine”. Unbeknownst to her, she however was truly the sunshine of her family.
In addition to her home-life, Marilyn was an active member of her faith community at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. She enjoyed participating, in the church choir with her beautiful alto singing voice. She practiced her faith when, she taught Sunday school, and engaged in the many church retreats and Bible Study classes. She was always a person you could depend on to lend a helping hand when required.
Most importantly, Marilyn had the nature to reach out and positively affect others. Marilyn touched everyone she encountered. Even those that she met in the grocery line could attest to her sincere and outgoing nature. She had a magnetic personality, and everyone was a friend of hers! Marilyn could never say no and would be the one quietly offering a helping hand wherever she could, despite her own challenges.
She dealt with her illness fearlessly for the last 19 years, reluctantly ever asking for help for herself. The way she dealt with her illness was a testament to her character: tenacious yet optimistic. She has left a hole in our hearts and will be greatly loved and missed.
Marilyn, beloved Wife, Mother, Oma, Sister, Aunt, and friend passed away after a courageous and long battle with breast cancer. She will be forever loved and missed by her husband, Eugene; children, Jessica (Houssam El Haj), Jacqueline (Youssef El-Khatib), and Marissa; grandchildren Mariam, Malek, Rayanne, Ibrahim, and Mikail; brothers, John and Frank; sister Marjorie; and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and extended family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church (704 - 6 Street NE) on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be served at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church (704 - 6 Street NE) on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Graveside service to follow at Queen's Park Cemetery with a reception to follow the burial in the Church Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to:
● Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church Calgary
● Sorrentino’s Compassion House Edmonton - https://www.compassionhouse.org/donate-now
● Healthy Child Uganda - https://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/healthychilduganda
Photos, memories and condolences may be shared through www.choicememorial.com.
August 10, 1959 - August 20, 2019
Our beloved left us, in rainless skies and a cool moon.
Never a tear, she did not dispute nor decline her call back to our Lord.
She. instead laid still, in the fragrant dawn of August
Breath like a soft breeze, subtle and gentle, as He willed it.
And our eyes burn
Yet, the love of the heart and soul endure no separation.
To the most loving and holy she has returned, and to Him is ours.
Marilyn was born August 10, 1959 in Calgary to Jack and Francis Vaniersel, new immigrants from Tilburg Holland. She was born minutes ahead of her lifelong best friend and identical twin sister Marjorie. Marilyn grew up in Bowness, Calgary, alongside her other siblings Connie, Leon, John and Frank. Marilyn’s early years were wonderful, and full of camping trips, picnics at Bowness Park and playing with her dog King in the tall grasses along the train-tracks beside her childhood home.
Marilyn attended St. Francis High School in her teenage years where she met husband Eugene, of 38 years. Shortly afterwards they married and started a new family and life together with children Jessica, Jacqueline and Marissa.
Marilyn was a busy working mom, settling in a telecommunications career at TELUS for 34 years. She will be remembered though by her commitment and to her family and children. Rain or shine she attended, prepared and supported her children with school events, dance recitals, and piano concerts.
In her free time Marilyn engaged in many hobbies. She enjoyed being physically active and was an avid long-distance runner, having completed various road-races and half-marathons. She also enjoyed orienteering, skiing, swimming, and bike-riding. Marilyn was a very creative individual and spent many hours quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, painting and ceramic painting. Marilyn will be remembered for her keen memory, and never missing a detail. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and sudoku, which kept her mind nimble.
Marilyn’s life changed forever with the birth of her grandchildren. By-far the joy of her life could be seen by the love and attentiveness she embraced her grandchildren with. She never forgot or missed a birthday or occasion with the kids, and adored spoiling them, and especially spending time playing with them at her favorite outing, Bowness Park. Nobody could put a baby to sleep like Oma could, with her snuggles and soft hum of “you are my sunshine”. Unbeknownst to her, she however was truly the sunshine of her family.
In addition to her home-life, Marilyn was an active member of her faith community at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. She enjoyed participating, in the church choir with her beautiful alto singing voice. She practiced her faith when, she taught Sunday school, and engaged in the many church retreats and Bible Study classes. She was always a person you could depend on to lend a helping hand when required.
Most importantly, Marilyn had the nature to reach out and positively affect others. Marilyn touched everyone she encountered. Even those that she met in the grocery line could attest to her sincere and outgoing nature. She had a magnetic personality, and everyone was a friend of hers! Marilyn could never say no and would be the one quietly offering a helping hand wherever she could, despite her own challenges.
She dealt with her illness fearlessly for the last 19 years, reluctantly ever asking for help for herself. The way she dealt with her illness was a testament to her character: tenacious yet optimistic. She has left a hole in our hearts and will be greatly loved and missed.
Marilyn, beloved Wife, Mother, Oma, Sister, Aunt, and friend passed away after a courageous and long battle with breast cancer. She will be forever loved and missed by her husband, Eugene; children, Jessica (Houssam El Haj), Jacqueline (Youssef El-Khatib), and Marissa; grandchildren Mariam, Malek, Rayanne, Ibrahim, and Mikail; brothers, John and Frank; sister Marjorie; and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and extended family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church (704 - 6 Street NE) on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be served at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church (704 - 6 Street NE) on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Graveside service to follow at Queen's Park Cemetery with a reception to follow the burial in the Church Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to:
● Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church Calgary
● Sorrentino’s Compassion House Edmonton - https://www.compassionhouse.org/donate-now
● Healthy Child Uganda - https://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/healthychilduganda
Photos, memories and condolences may be shared through www.choicememorial.com.