Thelma Marsh

Thelma Joan Marsh, age 99 years, passed away peacefully beside her four daughters on June 29, 2025, at Cambridge Manor in Calgary, Alberta. Born December 18, 1925, and raised by parents Jack and Esther Clayton, and Kathleen Clayton, she grew up in Swift Current with her four siblings: Norma, Edna, Jack, Doris.  After graduating high school, she left for Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she trained for three years and received her Registered Nursing Degree.  She, and three good friends, headed to Minneapolis, Minnesota for their first work experience, and after one year she returned to Swift Current and started her RN career at the Swift Current Union Hospital, working on Children’s Ward for 35 years.  During the 6 following months she met Darrold Marsh, and they were married March 12, 1949.  Barbara was born that year, Julie, Joanne, Marjory, and Kirsten following to complete the crew!  When she retired from the hospital, started a new successful position as assessment nurse with one of the first Home Care divisions in Saskatchewan. 

She was totally involved with all activities her daughters were in, volunteering and committing to required parental duties, and in lots of situations, the initiator and motivator of original new ideas!   

A group of young pregnant friends started a Sewing Club, and they stayed very good friends forever.  They did just that, sew, knit, crochet, cook and play cards, with their other young kids beside them, so that even those kids got to be friends with each other too.  She and Darrold were very involved in the First United Church, her being in the UCW, the church choir, and any volunteer committees expected.  Thelma swam, aqua sized, cross-country skied, walked, an avid reader, gardener, and musically gifted playing the piano, singing with “Sweet Adelines,” and dancing with Dad in the kitchen!   As a couple, they played bridge regularly on Saturday night with different friends, and she continued as a very versatile body at Duplicate Bridge, always complimented as an intuitive, lovely and styled lady!   

Being self-efficient, she had regular outings, usually including Co-op and Pharmasave, where she knew most employees and always could bump into others from all walks of life to visit.   Her well-spoken, and spirited attitude taught us all to love to talk!

Boating and camping summers spent at the Saskatchewan Landing always brought family together, most continuing this tradition with their own families.  The main beach was usually complete with MARSH’S MOB water babies!  Family priority grew the best Mom/Grandma/Sabba ever.  Her 16 Grandchildren, and 27 Great-Grandkids will have special memories of her kind, generous, and humorous personality.

Predeceased by husband Darrold Marsh in 2007, left her very saddened by the loss, but being strong willed and independent, stayed living in her house until moving to Airdrie, Alberta in 2019.    She had a happy, mostly healthy, fulfilled life and this is her time.  Special thanks to Cambridge Manor and the staff for the awesome care and special attendance she received during the last five years, her family is very appreciative.  A family “Celebration of Life” was held in Calgary, and burial will take place in Swift Current at a later date.  If wishing to donate in her memory, we suggest Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta, or Canadian Cancer Society Prostate Cancer Foundation.

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