She was a character with character.  She was truly a community icon. 

She grew up here, met her husband here during World War II and they raised seven children.  She gave of herself each and every day.  Marion Tolley passed away a week ago at the age of 95.

Her obituary tells me she believed in shopping locally at the Co-op and family operated stores and she "worked tirelessly to have Heritage Canada set up a Moose Jaw Main Street Heritage Program.  She stood in front of a bulldozer and tried to prevent the demolition of Victoria School, the first school in the North West Territories".  I remember that.

Marion used to walk everywhere.  She insisted.  So, back about 10 or 12 years ago when she was well into her 80s, I saw her riding a city bus.  I met one of her sons the next day and asked if, perhaps, she had suffered an injury.

"No", he said, "She takes a ride on the bus once in a while just to support the local transit system."

She made our community a better place.  Family and friends will celebrate Marion Tolley's life well-lived tomorrow afternoon at St. Andrew's Church.