Marian (Hardy) Winder

Winder, Marian Blanche (nee Hardy)

October 28, 1947 – July 8, 2023

The world has lost a firecracker of a woman. Marian Winder, 75, passed away July 8.  Marian will be greatly missed and always cherished by her husband of 54 years, Glen, son Bradley (Jonathan), daughter Jody (Kevin), her “bestest” granddaughter Kaylee and special niece Angela.

Marian was born on October 28, 1947, in Tofield, AB to parents Jack and Inga Hardy. She was a little sister to Donald.  Marian grew up in Tofield and spent her childhood riding horses, playing sports with the neighbourhood boys, and fishing and camping with her family. Doing “girly things” was not really to her liking.

After graduating high school in 1966, she attended NAIT, studying Medical Laboratory Technology.  Marian was a good athlete and played on the NAIT basketball team and basketball leagues in Edmonton afterwards. Glen and Marian were married on September 7, 1968.  They lived in Edmonton and later St. Albert.  Marian worked at the U of A Hospital in the Hematology Department for eight years, where she specialized in drawing blood from burn victims and infants. Marian was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in her early twenties and the disease impacted her activity level the remainder of her life.

Children, Bradley was welcomed into their world in 1973 and Jody in 1976.  It was in 1978, that they decided to fulfill Glen’s dream of being a cattle farmer and moved out to the Hay Lakes community.  They traded the family house in St. Albert for the farm of Art and Ida Grahn. There they built on to the existing farm infrastructure, bred purebred beef cattle and raised their family. She was a tireless farm wife, although if asked, she would say she was a “tired farm wife”! Not only did Glen and Marian operate a farm, but they were also co-owners of an oilfield well servicing business.  Life was extremely busy.

Marian learned early on in married life that baseball would be a priority and huge part of their lives.  Marian travelled around the province, country and into the United States to watch Glen in his baseball and slo-pitch endeavours, making many friends along the way.

Many of Marian’s happiest moments were with horses. Moving to the farm meant she could continue to cultivate her love of horses.  She spent many, many hours at horse sales and auction markets searching for that perfect horse.  Marian and daughter, Jody were members of the Miquelon Lake Saddle Club and spent many summer weekends on the road at gymkhana events.

Marian enjoyed playing slo-pitch, curling, golfing and was a fan of NHL, CFL, NFL and MLB.  She enjoyed coaching Highschool basketball at Hay Lakes School for a few years, where she could pass on her basketball knowledge, while helping high school youth gain further life skills. Reading, puzzling, listening to music and shopping were some of Marian’s other enjoyments in life. She enjoyed attending farm auctions with her son searching for horse tack, antiques and farm equipment.  She was great at finding a bargain and was not afraid to barter on price. She passed on her interest of thrifting and antiquing to her granddaughter.

Throughout her lifetime, Marian worked as a blood lab technician, farmer, UFA petroleum product agent, general building contractor and Camrose Senior Centre activities coordinator.  She was a school sports mom, and volunteered for 4-H, gymkhana, church and the Hay Lakes community.  In her late 40’s, Marian went back to school in Camrose and graduated with a diploma in Gerontology in 1997.  When she turned 60, her next challenge was to get her motorcycle license.  She took riding lessons along with Brad. Marian liked to stay busy and when she committed to something, she was deliberate, and the task was done thoroughly.  She was very resourceful and a great planner.

Marian was honest and real.  She was tough as nails, down to earth, very organized, had tremendous forethought, and a memory like an elephant.  She was a great conversationalist, willing to talk to anybody and wanted to know more about them.  When she made a connection with a person, she made sure to keep that connection.  She was fun and tried to make a regular activity something special because, why not? Above all else, she was empathetic and generous.

We will miss her sense of humour, verbal jabs, gentle nagging and her daily text messages starting with “I have an idea…” and “you should…” or “why don’t you...”. Her wisdom, advice and guidance were unparalleled.

Battling and beating breast cancer in 2020, she was diagnosed with terminal peritoneal cancer in 2021, Marian fought fiercely to live, as long as she could, for her granddaughter who was the “light of her life”.  She truly lived for Kaylee.  Grandma M and Kaylee spent many special days together, simply enjoying a cup of tea, shopping or travelling on “Girls Trips”.  Kaylee and her grandma had a special bond and Marian’s legacy will continue with Kaylee.

We all have truly been blessed to have Marian in our lives.  She was a terrific wife, mother, Grandma and friend. She was a great person who will be forever missed.  We celebrate Marian’s life and remember her when you are enjoying some chocolate dessert, eating popcorn, licorice or your favorite candies.

Mom, your fire may be out but you continue to light up our lives through our memories of you and the wisdom you shared with us.  Your hugs and kisses will be forever felt.  We love you fiercely. I do not think you have to eat vegetables in Heaven!

The family is grateful for the care she received during her journey. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Camrose Home Care, the St. Mary’s Chemotherapy Unit and Palliative Care Unit 2 and staff at the Louise Jensen Centre.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 on August 26, 2023 at the Hay Lakes Recreation Center. Main Street, Hay Lakes.  

If family and friends desire, memorial donations can be made to the “Glen and Marian Winder Family Trust Fund” through the Battle River Community Foundation (a scholarship fund for high school students in Hay Lakes and Tofield who may not be financially able to fund a post-secondary education), the Camrose and Area Animal Shelter Society or the Alberta SPCA.

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