MARION STOPFORD (WAUD)

April 4, 2021

Marion Stopford (Waud) of Kincardine died Sunday, April 4, 2021, at the age of 81. An avid sales-finder, auction deal-maker, ruthless card player (no such thing as friends of family when playing), Scrabble opponent, voracious reader, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune player, fisher-woman, lover of Coronation Street, put-another-potato-in-the-pot meal-stretcher, extraordinary loving wife, mother, Grizzly Gran, grandmother and great-grandmother, she has left her earthly bonds to continue her party in Heaven. The youngest of three siblings, she was born in 1940, the younger twin of three daughters of Peggy and Bill Waud in London, England. Growing up during post-wartime England still being rationed, taught Marion to be wise with what little she had and, to share what she could. Lessons that she instilled into each of her five children. For those who knew her, Marion had a sharp wit and a wicked sense of humour. She loved to laugh and was known to pull the odd prank, an auction find of an awful ceramic two-foot pig found its way into the front seat of her son’s OPP cruiser on his birthday one night! Or, ping pong balls tucked behind her glasses, lying in wait for John to come and “wake” her up. Marion was a fun-loving mother. Ever the adventurer, fishing was best done wearing Sponge Bob Square Pants boxer shorts over top of your trousers – it helped to catch the big ones, you know. At least, that’s what Matthew told her so, being a good sport, she wore them and a great time was had by all. Shore lunches along the French River with the Creek Rat, viewing the Grand Canyon with Sandra and her nephew, Christopher, whale-watching in the Atlantic Ocean of Canada’s East with Rhys and Gryff, exploring Windsor’s Rose Garden’s with Elspeth, cottaging at the Mercer with Andrew and Valerie, lazy summers at Agnew Lake with Sandra and Rodney. Michael’s and Mark’s friends phoning the house when the Grizz was there just to hear her answer the phone because of her lovely English accent. Marion loved to spend time with her family. There was always a welcome to be had when you knocked on her door. We used to take bets as to how long you would be in the house before you would be offered a cup of tea. We believe 30 seconds was the record – it didn’t matter the season. If you arrived close to supper time, it was, “Add another potato to the pot.” Marion would make the meal stretch while welcoming and feeding you. In her younger years, she was an avid knitter, often gifting many new mothers and babes with her beautifully-crafted layette sets. As talented as she was at knitting, baking not so much. One year her biscuits ended up being used by Andrew and Matthew in road hockey as the pucks! She enrolled in swimming classes so she would be able to feel safe taking the youngest of the children to the beach. The “Terrified of the Water Class,” she learned to swim in her 40s for John and Elspeth. That’s how much she loved her children. Marion is survived by her husband of 60 years, Peter. He will miss their nights of Judge Judy, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and, of course, Coronation Street. Also survived by her twin sister, Margaret Ferrari, of London England. Marion put her heart and soul into raising her five children: Andrew, Matthew, Sandra, John and Elspeth. Often she would combine their names when calling them or speaking to them, Jelspeth, Mattdrew and Sandrew, among the norm, but we always knew who she meant. She leaves a legacy of 18 grandchildren and five great-children, all of whom knew of her love and big heart even if only for a small part of their lives. Marion was a private person and didn’t want a fuss so, to honour her wishes, we will have a private family-only funeral but, done in Marion style - ABBA, Louis Armstrong’s “It’s a Wonderful World,” and Psalm 121. She doesn’t want long faces or anyone moping about. She wants bright colours, smiles and laughter after all – Marion is in a better place now. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Cancer Research, Kidney Disease Research or the Covenant House, either on-line or by contacting the Davey-Linklater Funeral Home; www.daveylinklaterfuneralhome.com/. These are charities that Marion quietly and faithfully supported. We love you Marion, Mum, Grizz, Grandma, Great-Grandma, a little lady but a giant to all who knew and loved you. Love you forever.