Marie Birch (nee Stobert)

September 21, 1951 – October 14, 2022 

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Marie Birch (nee Stobert). Mom passed peacefully in her sleep on October 14, 2022, after a short but tenacious battle with cancer. Mom was predeceased by both parents and all but one sibling, her brother, Brian, who visited mom and held her hand and brought her so much comfort. Left to mourn in the immeasurable void her passing has made, are, her beloved husband of 51 years, Lorne, to whom our mother was a best friend and inseparable companion for more than 55 years; her son Lorne (Jessica) with grandchildren Chaniece (Jaclynne), Ashley (Chad) and Noah; son Derek (Alicia) with grandchildren Jayden, Jorden and Camille; son Brett (Carrie) with grandchildren Noah, Liam, Campbell and Lucy; youngest son, Corey, and her daughter, Candace (Eric) with grandchildren Carleigh (Ryan), Kevin, Cadence, and Ryker. Mom was also a doting great-grandmother to Harper, Riley and Adrianne. There are many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends who will no doubt cherish their fond memories of our mother. Many loved her as Auntie Marie, and countless loved her as “Mrs.B”.

Mom was born on September 21, 1951 in the RM of Brokenhead, near Beausejour, MB. She spoke fondly of some memories of childhood, even with its many ups and downs, but her true life story, and the legacy she leaves, begins with our Dad. For him, it was love at first sight, and Mom liked to say she made Dad wait a couple of years for her, but we all know he held her heart from the beginning as well. Our parents were married on April 24, 1971 and were so proud to be able to celebrate their 50th year of marriage in 2021.

With our father being a police officer, Mom spent a lot of time raising us on her own, holding down the fort while Dad cycled through shift work. Five energetic kids, five busy schedules, five mouths to feed, many toys to glue together, holes to be sewn, fights to be broken up, and foreheads to be kissed. Mom stayed home raising us until her youngest started school, as that was important to her. Then, she started work as a courier driver and did that for many years before going from behind the wheel to behind the desk. Mom had several more jobs over the years from the production manager at a Lester Foods, to co-owning a Subway restaurant with Dad, to working security for CanadInns. Mom had a very strong work ethic, and rarely missed a day. Every business she ever worked at was left a little brighter than it was before she came along.

Mom was such an involved parent in the sports and activities we were in as kids. With our Dad often as the coach, she was his side-kick being the team manager, the scorekeeper at all the baseball games, the bringer of fun and energy to all the team gatherings and road trips, and always the loudest fan in the stands, cheering her kids on with a passion no one else could ever match.

As much as she loved her five kids, Mom absolutely adored her grandchildren. She somehow made each one of them feel like they might be her favourite. There was nothing sweeter than seeing her face light up when she saw one of her grandkids coming up the walk for a visit. She spent so much of her time searching online for the perfect gifts for all of us on birthdays and Christmas, and you could see the excitement on her face as her gifts were opened, and how much she hoped they made you as happy as she wanted them to make you. The best part of Mom’s gifts was how she gave them, more than what they ever actually were. Our mom was the absolute best cook. Even on the busiest of nights she was able to put together the most delicious meals. Up until she got sick, Mom was always sending out home-cooked meals to us long after we had grown up and moved out. If you showed up to visit, you were going to be fed. On special occasions, we always looked forward to Mom’s homemade perogies and cabbage rolls, and fought over the last meatball. Mom also loved to garden, and no matter where they lived, you could count on there being beautiful flowers everywhere in her yard. Flowers seemed to love Mom as much as she loved them, as they always bloomed to the point of explosion.

Mom and Dad spent their whole lives together, utterly inseparable. The only time ever spent apart was when one or the other was in hospital. In their later years, you could pull up to Mom and Dad’s house at any given time and almost always find them sitting side by side in the porch, doing Jumble puzzles, crosswords, scratching tickets, or face-timing with a family member. If they weren’t in the porch, they were watching sports together in the house, or mom was bustling about whipping up enough food to feed an army, even if it was just the two of them. This was the simple life our Mom made. Loving all of us was really all she ever wanted.

The family would like to thank the staff of HSC, who treated Mom with so much kindness and genuine caring. It was a little easier leaving her each day knowing she was in such good hands. To the staff who looked after Mom at Riverview Care Home, we will be forever grateful for your compassion, sensitivity, the way you recognized the special bond our parents had, and how you went above and
beyond to make sure the time Mom and Dad had left together was valued and advocated for.

Cremation has taken place, and Mom’s wish was to have her ashes lie in wait, until the time comes when our Dad’s ashes can be combined with hers and they can be together again, for eternity. A small private family gathering to honour Mom was held on Friday. The family may plan a celebration of life at a later date. Life will never be the same without you, Mom. We see the signs everywhere already, just as you promised. We know that you will always find ways to be with us, and a day will never go by where we don’t think about you. We will take good care of Dad for you. We love you always and forever.