Mariana Marlene Walther

Mariana Marlene Walther passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on April 4, 2022. Marlene will be deeply missed by her devoted husband of over 50 years, Roland, her loving sons, Stefan and Mark, and her cherished daughter-in-law, Larisa.
 
Teaching was Marlene’s great passion and it gave her pleasure when she could help others learn. Marlene began her career in education in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. She then taught for 25 years for the Lakehead Board of Education in Thunder Bay, completed her Master in Education degree, and became Business Chair at Westgate High School. A big career highlight was teaching the children of the Canadian Forces in Lahr, Germany, working for the Department of National Defence in the mid-1980s. This also gave the Walthers the opportunity to visit and really become acquainted with their large German family including Roland's mother, four sisters and brother. Another milestone came in 2001 when Marlene was honoured by being nominated and receiving the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence; family joined her for the ceremony on Parliament Hill where the award was personally presented by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Always looking for adventure and challenges, Marlene pursued further teaching opportunities in the Middle East after retirement.
 
Marlene met her husband, Roland, “the rock of her life,” at a night-school art class when she was 18. They spent more than 50 wonderful years together, raising their two sons, and supporting each other while working and travelling around the world.
 
Welcoming visitors into her home to experience the Walther hospitality, accentuated by her husband’s delicious German cooking, gave Marlene much pleasure — she loved being a hostess and tour guide, enthusiastically introducing their family and friends to the many places they called home: Thunder Bay and Lake Superior, Germany and Europe, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and the Emirates, the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
 
Marlene enjoyed teaching and playing bridge and was very active with the game in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In 2010, she started her website, ATeacherFirst.com, to help people learn bridge. Players from around the world have purchased, and continue to purchase, her Bridge Pocket Guide and other online offerings. Her legacy will live on, as her family is continuing the popular website. Marlene also enjoyed playing tennis and Mahjong.
 
Marlene spent her last 15 years in Niagara-on-the-Lake and thoroughly enjoyed all it has to offer: great restaurants and wineries, a gentler climate, active social groups and wonderful friends. She was an avid theatre lover and volunteered for the Shaw Festival since she moved to NOTL in 2007, serving as an usher, docent, membership chair, garden sitter, and helping in many other ways. She served on the NOTL Newcomers Board, as treasurer, then president, and webmaster.
 
A Celebration of Life will occur this summer for family and close friends in Marlene's favourite place, her beautiful garden.
 
Marlene loved and was surrounded by animals her whole life, she was particularly fond of cats. For those wishing to offer condolences or a tribute, the family would greatly appreciate a donation to the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society: www.TBDHS.ca.