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30 comments:
The Ohakune Results group are with you in spirit.
We will do a gathering of friends as well, our Monday 11am.
Love and Light
Karen
Ani and Julie
[see Marlene in our group photo at http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/2080209594_7723ca15c5_o.jpg]
I recollect Marlene being named by Margueritta as a "weighty " Quaker. That seemed to me to be great praise indeed. As I sat on our deck today with my memories of Marlene I was shown a heart cloud overhead and within a kneeling figure. I send love and joy to you all . Marlene was a gift sent for us here in Aotearoa to learn from. I do indeed know why she was /is recognised as "weighty. Thank you and blessings for your gathering mmmm French wine mmmmm Belgian Chocolates. Cheers to a beautiful soul. Kia ora Tatou. Arohanui Rangimarie. In English."Greetings to all beings. Great love and peace. Sincerely Ani Vincent XXXXXXX
How I wish I could be there with you! I love the wine and chocolates idea. What great lady Marlene was!
All my love, Ellie
Tribute to Marlene
Marlene and I met when we were both 18 when, as room mates in an Ottawa residence for young public servants (The Laurentian Terrace on Sussex Drive where the National Gallery now stands). We soon discovered a connection: her MacLaughlin ancestors came from the same part of central New Brunswick as did my Tomilson family, and although we were not related, we shared some cousins.
This was the beginning of a close and enduring friendship. We went our different ways and over the next decades we saw did not see each other frequently – sometimes visits were years apart, but we always picked up as if we had been together last week.
What I remember most about Marlene was her spontaneity, her wicked sense of humour, and her outstanding mind. Soon after we met we went to Toronto to spend a weekend with my rather formal older sister; Marlene presented herself wearing enormous protruding false teeth. When meeting my boyfriend for the first time, she appeared breathlessly apologizing for being late -- and with a clothes hanger still attached to her dress. Another early memory is the basis of her incredible vocabulary, seeing her reading Time magazine with a dictionary on her lap so she could look up any unfamiliar word. Later, she demonstrated an extraordinary determination in learning Chinese, using a set of flash cards placed in strategic spots around her apartment so no spare moments were wasted.
She and Robin stayed with me for a while when they moved back to Ottawa. During that time she had a training assignment in Washington. As she recounted her experiences to me on the way home from the airport on the Friday afternoon before Thanksgiving, she realized she had vacated her office leaving a telephone caller ”on hold”. Her horror at this lapse of bureaucratic protocol was soon overtaken by gales of laughter at the thought of the caller waiting on the line for the whole long weekend, and how this handling of a client demonstrated her aptitude and future potential as a public servant.
Affectionately,
Margie Caughey*
I drank some Western Australian champagne and ate Lindt (sorry!) chocolates today, in memory of Marlene: my Queen's friend, my London (England) friend, my hitch hiking friend and then my Montreal friend. Too many memories to share here. Farewell to a golden girl.
Love and blessings, Maryllis
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things ... (1 Cor. 13.7)
Marlene remains the only person to call me a negligent mother - as a organic food growing, bread baking, homeschooling mother it isn't something I hear often (not that there aren't other complaints). Her point was that I was failing to introduce my children to Chinese - my second (albeit very rusty) language. She was right and now if (when) Patrick, my 12 year old victim, complains, I can give her complete credit. He'll thank her someday. I've thanked her already.
Mom(Pearl)valued her relationship as a cousin and friend with Marlene. She will miss the dicussions on books that they read and philosophies on life. Cousin Marlene left earth a better place and enhanced the lives of all she met. Touched by an angel comes to mind.
Lisa,Pearl and families
Everyone should have AT LEAST one aunt like Marlene, especially if one was prone to being a serious child, like I was/am. Marlene's sense of adventure and irreverence were important elements in shaping who I am.
In tribute, I offer this poem. It is one of the collection, Mots D'Heures: Gousses, Rames, the d'Antin Manuscript, discovered, edited and annotated by Luis d'Antin van Rooten. Marlene sent me the book over a dozen years ago, with the following inscription: "It is better to receive a hand-me-down d'Antin manuscript from your aunt than to delay a moment the edification of your esprit by even a week." She then instructed me to read the poems out loud a haute voix in order to penetrate the enigma of the manuscript.
So now it's your turn to take Marlene's challenge. Try it out on this selection. (Hint: try and channel the spirit of Inspector Clousseau as you read this.)
Lit-elle messe, moffette,
Satan ne te fete
Et digne somme coeurs et nouez.
A longue qu'aime est-ce pailles d'Eure.
Et ne Satan bise ailleurs
Et ne fredonne mess, Moffette, ah, ouias!
Love always,
Adriane
I am saddened by her passing but am gladdened knowing that Robin was with her. Marlene always spoke with immense pride about his accomplishments.
Our lives intersected in several of her chapters: Marlene & Robin's arrival in Ottawa for her embassy training; my visit in Hong Kong in 1986: my stay in London in 1990; her stay with us on Grandview after she left Beijing; and then regrettably brief visits after moving to Victoria.
She held an honorary Auntie position in all of our extended families. Mum tells an anedote about my young nephew's puzzled inquiry, "Where's Auntie Marlene?", expecting her to appear from the moving van on its arrival in Ottawa with Dave & Stella's belongings from Victoria.
My memories of my time with her in London are triggered by seeing Monet landscapes (British Museum) and hearing operatic duets (Covent Gardens).
She was a sounding board for the challenges of life, an example of resiliency, and an inspiration for going after the things that you have been meaning to do.
I think the image that best recalls for me her glee at acheiving a desired objective is the photo taken on the Great Wall holding her scarf in triumph above her head.
I hope these reminiscences are helpful in celebrating her life.
Love, Sharon
Thank you Rob and all of the Family of Marlene ... thank you in gathering Friends together to celebrate Marlene's place in Heaven. French wine and Belgium Chocolates ... arrays of fine foods, cheeses and desserts adds to the fine qualities of Marlene.
First class has a new meaning and it will be impossible to keep up with the Jones and the hearts of whom Marlene has touched.
Words cannot describle the smiles, joy, energy and love in the air ... the celebration fit for a Queen. The Family has gone all out with the silverware and china ... wine glasses.
Thank you for inviting us and all ... Victor ( Reiki Masters of Victoria )
Dearest Marlene and All,
M & I were connected through Quaker Meeting and Reiki Teacher Masters. We shared great respect and admiration for each other and the tasks we chose in our lives.
Once, Marlene asked me to help her initiate some Quakers into Reiki. After we started this sacred, silent procedure, we realized that we initated in very different ways! What do you do?!?!
Another time, she volunteered me to give Reiki to a traveler and her hospitalized friend, which we did. The next week at Meeting, M informed me that at the time we gave the treatment, the friend suddenly felt well and checked herself out of the hospital!
Marlene, although I am in Sri Lanka (and I suspect you are overlooking me here - enjoying this georgeous place) and could not attend your Memorial, I have been and will continue to think of and miss you. I also send tons of Blessings to your Beloved Son, Robin.
Love Always,
Shakti
p.s. If you want me to babysit your silk rug, the offer still stands:):):):)
I know that apartment so well. We had lunch there again when I visited Victoria a few years ago. In earlier days, we had intense clerks' meetings around that table, working out the next items of business and the complicated nuances of a Friends' Meeting.
Marlene trained me and so many others in basic reiki there in that apartment.
Marlene had come home in Victoria. I remember this because, one wild windy evening, she was driving a carload of women to a retreat at the shore (YellowSomething) and someone asked her how she felt about living on the west coast. Marlene said she felt she had come home. Then she turned to me in the back seat and asked, "How about you, Margaret?" I had been living there for nearly ten years and expected to stay forever. I looked out at the tossing giant trees and blurted, "I feel as if I have been on a ten-year holiday." It was the beginning of my leaving and coming back to my own home, Ontario. I am glad Marlene asked that question.
I remember how disconcertingly beautiful she was in the glamorous wig after the chemo that time, how bright her eyes were. How it was good when she left off the wig soon after, and appeared as herself, still beautiful, her stylish-looking fuzzy hair growing back in.
I just have a sense of Chinese paintings and memorabilia. It is just the feeling of the whole world brought into that apartment, with room to spare, and Marlene's intense and focused attention to the soul journey in her life among Friends.
A bright red tie with Mickey Mouse on it. Worn as if this is normal, this is not surprising, no statement is being made.
We spoke of a novel she was writing or wanted to write.
She sent out an item a year or two ago about the way molecules of water can change with a blessing or a curse, and I wrote to tell her I thought she was going too far. She wrote back, engaging with me, explaining why I should keep myself open to these mysteries.
Well. Marlene was one of a kind, and I am very sad this evening to hear that her brave living of the spiritual life has her now gone to spirit entirely, didn't save her into old old age, but did save her, I think, in that her life these past years has been remarkable and healthy and she has become much loved. Of course I am sure she always was.
That's all that comes right now. One can't catch an essence readily, at least I can't. I enjoyed knowing her very much.
Marlene gave me the gift of reiki in return for inspiring her to learn Chinese and go to China to work. It was the United Church minister at Lucky Lake who we invited to our Social Studies class in Lucky Lake to speak to us about being a missionary in China who inspired Marlene although I think the artifacts she brought were what really inspired her.
Marlene came to me from a rural school which was closed down due to lack of students, fortunately for Marlene, for she was accompanied by a cumulative record folder of her work and behaviour in the country school. When I looked at that child standing in front of me, I completely lost my faith in the cumulative folders we were required,as teachers to keep and to pass on to their next teacher.
One of my memories of Marlene was of the time she caught up with me in downtown Lucky Lake. She was carrying a bedraggled looking pupet by the foot and wanted me to hlp her fixit for her. The class had writtten a pupet show after a story in our reader about Mrs Moodle and her pet poodle and were making pupets to go with it.
I found a way to keep her occupied and quiet wen her assignments were done. We could borrow books free of charge from the Provicial Library at that time except for the return postage and I kept her supplied with books. One I remenber, Anna and the King Of Siam whch I had read before giving it to her to read. She read every word of it and wanted to discuss the political parts with me. I had skipped those parts so I could get on with the story. She was a truly remarkable person.
Heartfelt sympathy to the Jones' families. I shall have a glass of wine with you this afternoon ,in a salute to a gallant lady.
Love to all, your cousin,Ramona
Dear Marlene,
You will be sorely missed. Your regular jokes by email were a special treat. I had already written to Rob that I had a feeling you had passed away. Your spirit came to Paris a few nights ago, saying quite specifically, 'don't forget about happiness'.
LOVE, San and family
Some years ago when my mother said that if ever there were a reminder of her having walked this earth she hoped it would say "She was a friend." On hearing this, Marlene pointed a bony finger and said, "Me TOO!"
And she WAS a f/Friend. My goodness, what a friend.
First, though, she was her Own Woman. We all learned a lot about being our own person just by being around Marlene. She was the unofficial representative of bravery and determination to be herself in the face of convention.
And this after having tried on the 'good girl' suit, as I gathered from our occasional discussion about our growing up years. She knew all that too and did it well when she felt called upon.
But Gale Sheehy would have been proud to know this living mentor of the theory of adult development she espoused in "Passages." Marlene showed us how to be an adult while holding dear the child inside. Like the fake buck teeth she wore to meet Margie's boyfriend, Marlene adopted silly hats, fake noses and teeth, once a stammer, and all manner of garb to get us laughing out here on the West Coast. As Rob pointed out, she loved to learn though, and would take on board and make into her own any acceptable suggestion about how to be a Grown Up as well, so long as it meant she would still be a child too. So Marlene the Clown I knew and adored.
Then who would appear but the gorgeous doll in immaculate, classy dress, bejewelled, eyes alight to take our collective breath away. This was a Beautiful Woman, in all ways. She had class.
And what about Marlene the Mentor. She quietly did the right thing without fanfare or publicity too many times to list. We all know who we are, those she genuinely helped when help was needed. I am one of those.
However, she would ask for help herself. What an admirable characteristic! Marlene didn't believe in mindless guilt nor in martyrdom. She asked for help and got it when she wanted it. She unfailingly put on her Big Girl Pants when that was appropriate. I really liked this about her. Everyone got a chance to do good things back. Often she asked for a good thing to be done not for herself but for another she had noticed along the road of life who could use a good turn.
I particularly liked that part of Marlene the Teacher who told great stories. Here's one that will stay to warm me all my remaining days. It plays like the best of beloved videos in my head when called up.
Once her girlhood pal, Dorothy was visiting and Marlene invited me to listen in. I sat at first white mouse-like as these two recalled in movie fashion all manner of times they'd shared. The absolute best was the telling of going to school on winter days. Marlene said the routine was to get up on the horse with her sister and head for the big gate that led to the road outside the farm fence.
"I rode shotgun, being the younger sister, so of course it was my job to slide off the horse and open the gate. My sister and the horse waited outside on the snowy road while I closed the gate. Then up I'd get and we'd set off to the next gate. Dorothy was always late. We'd wait on the road until there she would come, flying on her little pony toward us down the long drive from her house, clothing and bag flapping, the pony setting up clouds of snow."
Dorothy laughed or nodded throughout the telling, occasionally adding a few comments, but Marlene held the floor. She was a powerful storyteller and had a simple but endearing story to tell.
They allowed the horses to lead the way through 'shortcuts' high with snow, working their ways toward the school. Not infrequently there were whiteouts. I was on the horse too, as I listened, the surroundings fading, giving way to the cold and a special winter smell.
They always arrived at the destination. "Nobody died," Marlene said. And on the return journey, speed brought them to their respective warm homes because of the "call of hay."
Marlene the Philosopher and I wrangled about weighty issues for hours over the course of knowing each other. One was our shared belief that the body is but a house for the spirit, and that the body would crumble and be forgotten, but the spirit never died. Hence, "nobody died" in the full sense of that statement. We didn't figure out where the spirit went, but Marlene said, as she moved toward the door after lunch and a thoughtful session at my house one day, "I have to leave something to you to figure out!"
It was a full-on privilege knowing the warmth, humour, fascination, complexity of Marlene Jones. She gifted us all with a brightness that will continue to bless us. Marlene's spirit seems today to surround me. I thank you, Marlene. You were a friend.
In appreciation of all things Marlene,
Diana Mitchell in Victoria BC
I met Marlene at Friends Meeting in Victoria. She was very kind to me, as I had come to Victoria to spend time with an ill friend and had been up all night at the local hospital. We talked about Reiki, and friendship, and I when I returned to my friend's bedside her health had taken a turn for the better, right around the time we were sending her Reiki energy.
Marlene was such a bright spirit, and I regret that she was not able to visit me in Santa Barbara as we had discussed. Her friends and family were blessed to have known and loved this amazing woman. I was glad to have known her, even briefly.
With love, light and laughter -
- Stephanie Freeman, La Jolla Friends Meeting
This is in memory of Marlene- a toast (not French wine but homemade with a few tears) to a dear friend since school days and on. The last time she was in Lucky Lake, I was laid up with a broken ankle, she did reiki on me, it probably helped as I have no problems and love walking Thinking of you.
Take care, Love, Maxine.
[Photo is at http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/2088722074_f39767156a.jpg ]
I am so sad to hear about the passing of
Marlene. She was such a special person, so full of
energy, always taking on new challenges. I looked back at an email she sent me in May 2001 on spiritual channelers in Canada. Since I have long studied spirit mediums in Thailand, Marlene knew of my interest in this subject. She told me about teaching reike to medical people in Cuba and was considering a trip to Moscow. She also had been snorkeling in the Galapagos and Easter Island. What a woman! She found this one channeler’s tape of a spirit teacher to be peaceful. The teacher said: "Have a sense of many from my dimension being present here to nurture your being and to support you with a most profound and loving energy."
Marlene and I met in Hong Kong in 1988, and she took me on a memorable trip to southern China. She would write the letters in Chinese characters on her hand for people to read because the dialects were so different that her Mandarin was almost useless. We took trains, went to the birthplace of Mao, visited the Red is East Tractor Factory, saw wonderful Buddhist statues, saw the terracotta soldiers in Xian, and exited from Shanghai back to Hong Kong. Traveling in China by train and bus is not easy, but Marlene made it all possible and fun. I will never forget her kindness and enthusiasm for life.
Yours, Marlane Guelden (I am currently doing research as an anthropologist in southern Thailand.)
You will always be remembered by us here in Hong Kong.
You are one of our most respected friends.
Wish you joy and peacefulness forever!
David
Dear Marlene, I wanted to let you know that you were a great source of reassurance to my parents and I at a time we were grappling with the anxiety and angst of immigration to Canada. For this we are truly thankful. We are now citizens. We like it here. Philip.
We raised a toast to Marlene in Moscow last weekend knowing that she had lived life to the fullest and brought joy to so many around the world and she was with us that night in spirit. Whenever I relocated around the world, Marlene would arrive as my first visitor, always up for a new adventure. What great times we had dressing up and going to the opera or concerts in Moscow, Prague, and London. Being on her e-mail list kept me in tune with such a wide variety of issues and part of her global community. While the world is a lesser place without her, I know so many of us are bigger and better because of her.
I've been a beneficiary of Marlene's advice and influence ever since Rob and I became friends in high school in Hong Kong. Thank you Marlene for the fine work on Rob, the timely advice, and for always making me feel welcome in your house.
You will be greatly missed.
love,
Mike
My memories of Marlene (well, I thought she was Mrs. Gvozden actually) are from a time when I a young kid in Hong Kong, and my brother and her son were good friends. What I remember was kindness and a big smile that will both be missed. Their house was a great place to be every time we went.
Matt
I will always remember Marlene as a wonderful exciting person who I shared many good times with around the world, I will miss you
Marlene you changed my life... you were an amazing teacher I will be forever greatful that our paths crossed and you took the time to show me the way to live, love, laugh and give generously of your heart and time...
always sharonlee
Today is when the Quaker memorial gathering is being held at 2 pm at Fern Street Meeting house, 1831 Fern Street in Victoria, BC. Any of Marlene's family, friends and acquaintances who would like to come, please know you are most welcome. I will report here in the next couple of days to tell of it , and perhaps show photos. We expect a nice turnout, will sing, speak of our Marlene, and send love to her as she journeys onward. Those who cannot join us in Victoria at two today, please send kind thoughts. We hold you in the Light.
In friendship,
Diana Mitchell
On Saturday we had the memorial for Marlene. Those of you who couldn't be there may like to read this to get a sense of what it was like.
It was so joyous. Beautiful! Many people from all her varied involvements in community came, and spoke of Marlene the Big Sister, Marlene the Outdoorswoman, Marlene the Traveler, Marlene the Gettin' Higher Choir member, Marlene the adoptive mother of Lani and Gerry Bai, and grandmother to Audrey and Lance Bai, Marlene the Reike Master and Results champion, Marlene the Mad Hatter group member, Marlene the Carry On Granny member, Marlene the Friend of Friends, and on and on.
What a woman! I thought I knew her well, and didn't know her many facets nearly well enough. It was great fun.
Some of her choir pals sang the perfect words of the song that goes "Did anyone ever tell you you're beautiful?" How good is that? You KNOW how beautiful Marlene was in all ways. A lot of voices joined in, which was great.
Marlene's adventuresome nature, curiosity, love of learning, humor, sense of fun, outrageousness, big heart, helpfulness, bravery when a champeen, as she liked to call it, was needed.
You know she hated confrontations, but oh, she was a brave, brave woman and so many spoke of her calling them to offer help of so many kinds. People stood who knew she had injected herself into their lives when they were desperate...cancer patients who would not have made it if she had not come and done the Reiki she offered so willingly under all kinds of awful circumstances.
Then there is the dear little girl who waited for Marlene each week, and was never disappointed until the final days. Her Big Sister Marlene and she had a magical relationship of love and mutual understanding.
Like Audrey the Brave and Lance, this girl connected in magical fashion to Marlene the Brave and Good. How many of us did she help? We spoke of this factor from so many angles on Saturday.
We laughed at her antics, and hijinks. Oh, that girl could make us laugh. And didn't SHE love to laugh? She sure did. "Laughter is the best medicine" she would say and off we would go sailing on the cloud of foolishness or whimsy she brought with her.
There were people who spoke of the intimate, close friendship Marlene made possible, the lightening of their lives because of this. She offered so freely, and wove in and out of so many lives, bringing a fine quality we all understood as people spoke.
Some of us had made boards with postcards Marlene sent the Bai kids from travels all over the globe, always pointing out something of a treasure, and always divulging something she felt or thought about it.
Another board had the Bai's and Genny Eden's great photos of Marlene in her many guises. The one of her with the red scarf and triumphant look on her face atop the Great Wall of China stood at the top of the heap. What a gal!
We ate great food, drank copious amounts of tea, laughed and reminisced. Marlene was definitely with us and nudging a few of us when we felt gloomy, because it was always her intention to live well through the bad times as well as the good. She taught us well. She will be in our hearts forever.
There are quite a few of us who would like to remain in contact, or would like to write you who are also her friends and her family, but we have no contact information. Please will any who wish to have contact, would like any of the photos, or ?? please email me and I will get this information to whoever you wish to be in contact with.
My email is : drhelp@telus.net
I would especially like to hear from Gladys, Peggy, and Dorothy, Marlene's and Gladys' childhood friend.
In friendship,
Diana Mitchell in Victoria
I have been avoiding writing I thought in hopes of finding the right words. I realize now it was just my way of denying that Marlene has left this earthly surface.
I met Marlene as a baby so our paths together has been long. Yes I am over 21!!! She was the adventurous adult who went off to great places around the globe. Oh and the stories she told me of these adventures!
This summer, my daughter, Rebecca, my husband, John and I dined with Marlene and then she and I walked and sat by the ocean. We told stories and laughed. We decided that our families (Jones and Allens) has known each other for 4 generations. A good historical foundation of friendship.
To a great woman who inspired us to take on challenges.
Love and respect,
Kathy Bovair
Diana has given a great description of the memorial at the Quaker House.
The memorial was indeed a wonderful tribute to our dear Marlene! And it provided an opportunity for us all to be involved - bringing photos, food, singing, and speaking of the treasured gift that Marlene was to all our lives.
Marlene and I were close friends these last 8 years. She was an inspiration - a unique, multifaceted individual. She had an unusually high intellect, a profound sense of justice and fairness, a deep spirituality, a giving nature & huge heart, and a delightful sense of fun & play.
While I treaure all that was Marlene, I was especially fond of the Renegade Marlene. She loved doing things that were apart from the mainstream.
Marlene leaves a wonderful legacy, that spark that is her - carried on by all the Reiki Masters she's initiated in other provinces & countries and by all of us whose lives she touched and deeply moved.
Marlene I miss you deeply my dear friend
with gratitude and love ~
genni eden
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