Obituary of Marion Shirley Blackburn

76 of Lower Prospect, NS, died peacefully on January 9, 2025 in the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax with her loving family by her side.  Marion was born in Tignish, PEI, to the late Winifred and Ernest Getson.

Marion enjoyed bingo.  She loved watching hockey, especially Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Marion loved music and would travel around to dances and listen to Gerald and his friends play in the band “Old Country Pioneers”.  She loved to dance and was always on the dance floor.  Marion had many health issues in her life and the biggest loss for her was losing her husband and son in 2008.  They both died in a fishing accident.  Our family suffered a huge loss that day.  Marion never got over this and never bounced back from it.

Marion will be dearly missed by her daughter, Lorraine Blackburn (Jimmy), Sambro, and her son, Jody (Tresa) Blackburn, Whites Lake.  Marion adored her grandchildren and they will miss their Nanny:  Christopher (Tara) Tough, Hannah (Martin) Tough, and Abigail Blackburn, and great-grandson, Ethan Tough.  She also leaves behind her step-grandchildren, they loved Marion very much: Trisha (Andrew) Gray, and Jenna Gray, and step-great-grandson, Grayson Blackburn, as well as Kevin Tough, her son-in-law.  She is also survived by her sisters, Elsie (Bookie) Blackburn, Greenmount, PEI, and Ethel Fallington, Saskatchewan.  Marion is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Marguerite (Gary) Purcell, Marion (Rodney) Humphrey, Madeline Ryan, Patricia Morash, and Aldona Rayner, and brothers-in-law, Terry (Peggy) Blackburn, Leroy Hiltz and James Hall, and several nieces and nephews.

Marion had some special friends, Susan, who Marion loved very much and loved spending time together with her at the Gardens, Blair and Barb Wallage, Basil and Cathy, Anna Mae and Andy, Eugene and Shirley Slaunwhite, Reg Knight and Joe and Olive Riley.  She enjoyed your company, laughs, and good times over the years.

Marion was predeceased by her loving husband, Gerald, her son, Gerry, brothers, Douglas, Norman, Sidney and Percy, and sisters, Edna, Florence and Violet.

We would like to thank all the family and friends that visited Marion in the hospital, she really enjoyed seeing each and every one of you and enjoyed the laughs.

Marion’s family would like to thank the staff at Melville Gardens for all the care they provided to Marion the last several years, especially Adrian, Ruth, Barb, Sheila, Yvonne and Jose.  You are all angels!

In keeping with Marion’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  There will be no visitation.  A celebration of Marion’s life will take place at a later date.  In memory, donations can be made to Melville Gardens, 11 Ramsgate Lane, Halifax, NS B3P2S9.