July 11th, 1935 – February 19th, 2025
Marion Ironquil Meadmore was born in July 11th, 1935 at Peepeekisis Cree Nation, 100 kilometres north east of Regina.
She attended File Hills Residential school north east of Regina until it was closed in 1949, then a stint at boarding school in Strasborg before finishing grade 12 at Birtle Residential School.
At age 18, her determination led her to move to Winnipeg to attend pre-med courses but quickly found that residential schools hadn’t prepared her for university. She would later become the first female Indigenous lawyer in Canada.
In 1956, she married Ron Meadmore, a supportive soft-spoken farmer from Culross, Manitoba who later had a storied CFL career, winning three Grey Cups with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The couple was happily married for nearly 57 years until Ron passed away in 2013.
Marion has received many awards for her contributions in law, business and Indigenous governance including the Order of Canada and an Honourary Doctorate from the University of Manitoba. Her accomplishments include, cofounding the first Friendship Centre in Canada, cofounding Kinew Housing, and cofounding the precursors to the Assembly of First Nations and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
Marion was also an accomplished athlete. She organized and pitched for the Arrowettes, a women’s baseball team that played in Winnipeg’s North End for 17 years. The team represented Manitoba at the first North American Indigenous Games in 1990, where Marion, at age 55, pitched Manitoba to a gold medal and also won a bronze in archery.
She also recently described herself as a leaf on a tree in the fall, saying, “I’m going to fall to the ground, and when I get there, I’ll have to go right back to work.”
Marion leaves behind three loving sons – Glen; Neil (Kelleanne) and their three children Dakota, Kayla, and Connor; and Jim (Lorraine); her loving sister Doris Hyndford; and numerous relatives, friends and colleagues. She passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at her Winnipeg home on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025. She was 89.
6 thoughts on “Marion Ironquil Meadmore”
My condolences to Marion’s family. Marion was a close friend and I walked with her through our journey to become lawyers. She was an inspiration to me in terms of her discipline and ability to meet her achievements. When we first started at university before entering our respective law schools, we would study for hours at the library before rewarding ourselves by playing badminton. One of the coaches saw us play at the University of Manitoba gym and introduced us to squash, which we both loved. This helped me meet my achievements as she provided a structure for our studies. This must be a difficult time for her family. She certainly lived a full live in which she contributed so much.
I spent a lot of time with Marion in the last few years. My wife is a cousin of Ron’s. She was very fond of you Delia. She said you entered law as a lark! You’ve lost a close friend.
I send my deepest sympathies to Marion’s family. As chancellor of the University of Manitoba it was my pleasure and honour to confer Marion’s Honorary Degree in June of 2024. When her health did not allow her to attend, I visited her at her home after convocation. She was mentally strong, fully engaged and happily recounted some great stories. It was a special meeting. She also told me how much she loved her family (she had been so happy they came for her HD celebration).
What a tremendous life of service, activism and accomplishment Marion lived.
Anne Mahon
Having known the Meadmore family for over 50 years and having spent a fair amount of time in the family home during our teen years in Crescentwood ; I can certainly offer the opinion that Ron and Marion were very supportive of their children in their sports activties for many years.
Marian later become very involved in her ongoing studies and further with her investments of time and driven energy in her culture ; as she became incredibly determined to introduce strong changes looking foward to the future and supports of aborigibal peoples.
Marian has certainly left a tremndous impact and legacy behind for all to benefit from.
The special memories that her remaining family will have to cherish of her will provide them with the necessary tools and supports to carry on without her now.
Rest in peace , Mrs. Meadmore
Condolences to the family and friends who were blessed with Grandmother Marion’s Love. I was lucky to have known her for a few years when she spearheaded The Creation of Wealth Forum in 2013 pictured here. She sure touched many hearts and minds during those sessions, she will be missed.
O I got to know Marion when she sold her house in Fort Garry. Such a deep. Intelligent cultured lady.
Her accomplishments were amazing and such a humble woman who when she walked into a room her presence was felt and you knew she was there. Condolences to her many friends and also to her family. She will not be forgotten