Marianne Francesca (Evetts) Wahl, age 90, of Thunder Bay, Ontario, left this world in the early hours of June 1st, at home with her family.
Marianne was born in England, on February 16th, 1933 to William Edward and Elizabeth Anne Evetts. As a teenager, she attended Rylands Memorial School of Art in West Bromwich, where she acquired her NDD (National diploma in Design) and MAD (Masters in Art Design). She danced ballet with the BAI (Birmingham Arts Institute), designed costumes and scenery for plays and musicals, and enjoyed playing piano and singing in a choir.
In 1957, Marianne married the love of her life, Karl, and followed him to Canada to live in a small mining townsite just outside of Beardmore.
Marianne spent the next eight years living in Leitch with Karl, where she organized plays and musicals in the local church basement, wrote articles for the daily newspaper, and, along with her small art group, designed the iconic Snowman in Beardmore! All this while raising their two young daughters! Evidence of Marianne’s creative hand could be seen everywhere.
When the mine closed, Marianne and family moved to the Lakehead. Marianne worked as an art teacher at the Fort William Collegiate and later at Lakehead University in the geography department as a cartographer. She also taught calligraphy at Confederation College, as well as many remote communities surrounding Thunder Bay.
In the early 1970’s, Marianne and family moved to Weyburn Saskatchewan, where she enjoyed singing in a local church choir, and taught modern dance and calligraphy until moving back to Thunder Bay in 1979. She received her BA Bachelor of Arts degree) in Psychology at Lakehead University.
Marianne and Karl travelled extensively across Canada, USA, and Europe, often taking some grandchildren with them. Marianne also travelled to Africa and Israel to visit family members.
Marianne was active in the community. She held a lifetime membership with Cambrian players. Evidence of her creativity could be seen in the many sets & costumes she designed, as well as posters & programs. She also performed in some plays, including Brigadoon, in which she danced to honour her own late mother’s memory.
Marianne enjoyed sketching, painting, reading, camping, hiking, or just enjoying time out in nature. As well as singing and playing piano, she taught herself to play guitar and harp, which she played for weddings and special occasions. Marianne was a gifted author and illustrator, having published several books.
Marianne leaves behind three daughters: Heidi Wahl (Murray Norman), Natalie Wahl, and Angie Kwandibens Duchene; grandchildren: Christopher Norman (Amanda), Carla Norman (Bill Rogers), Marie Wahl, Emily Wahl (Daryl Lawley), Amma Wahl, David Wahl, and Rebekah Wahl; and great-grandchildren: Lilli and Kevin Norman. Also left to cherish her memory are siblings Joanna BenYehuda, Josephine Evetts-Secker, Julian Evetts (Bonnie), and sisters-in-law Joyce Evetts, Corrine Taylor, Christol Wick, Heidi Marie Henning, and numerous relatives around the globe.
Marianne was predeceased by her loving husband and life partner Karl Wahl, brother Morris Evetts, brothers-in-law Haim BenYehuda, John Secker, Ulrich Wahl and Gerhard Wahl.
Please help us to celebrate this brilliant, wonderful, creative, sparkly, magical, energetic, amazing woman’s life! Feel free to dress in whatever you’re most comfortable; she loved bright colours! Friday, June 23rd, at 1 p.m. at the Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel & Suites, 17 Cumberland St N, Thunder Bay, ON in the Provincial Room.
Special thanks to Dr. Alkatari & Cancer Centre, Nurses Misty, Shayla & Bailey on 1A at TBRHSC, and especially Bayshore Home Care Nurse Kathleen Moore, who went over and above for us over the last month , and was there for us with her loving care and compassion.
If desired, donations to Cystic fibrosis, Thunder Bay Symphony, or charity of your choice gratefully appreciated.
