We lost our beautiful, beloved mother, Marlee Ann Berman unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023.
Marlee was a loving, dedicated mom to her daughters Jana (Michael) and Ayla (Dave). She was a Bubba to her four grandchildren, Edelle, Belle, Weston and Rowan, who she loved and treasured to the ends of the earth and beyond. Marlee was a caring sister to Lori and auntie to Stephen and Alana. She was also valued sister to Patricia and David, and auntie to Christopher.
Marlee was born in Toronto, Ontario on March 8th, 1952, embraced in the loving arms of her mother and father, Belle Berman (née Stein) and David Berman. She spent her childhood in Toronto where she developed her lifelong friendships with Patrice and Linda. Marlee attended George Brown College receiving a Child Care Worker Diploma, then working in the area of children’s mental health at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.
In 1974 she travelled out west, assisting in remote communities of Vancouver Island as part of a Dental Internship Program. She fell in love with the West Coast lifestyle and the Pacific Ocean and it is here on the Sunshine Coast that she made her home.
Marlee studied honours English at UBC. With the home births of her daughters, Marlee developed her friendship with midwife, Wendy, and it is here that she became involved in midwifery. Her observations of the usefulness of homeopathy in midwifery inspired her to study Classical Homeopathy at the Vancouver Homeopathic Academy. She worked as a Classical Homeopath for almost 30 years, valuing the relationships that she developed through her years of practice. Marlee also worked with Sunshine Coast Community Services, first within the Special Services to Children Program and later as the Bellies and Babies Program Coordinator. Marlee’s nurturing and caring nature and her value for empowering and assisting woman, children and families was a common thread woven into the fabric of her life; qualities we will hold close, like her hand-made quilts, warming the hearts and laps of her dear friends and family.
Marlee loved her beautiful garden, her home on the beach; she was a talented cook, an avid reader, a runner, a dedicated Canuck’s fan. She valued tradition, particularly those shared with her Jewish community. And most of all, she cherished spending time with her family.
A ceremony to honour Marlee will be held at a later date.
Marlee, Mom, Bubba, Sister, Auntie, Friend,
We will miss your sparking blue eyes, your laughter, your comforting, loving presence.
…All the things that made you a beautiful person. There were so many…
Remember you’re loved.
Always.
