MARIANNE WILLENSON (published on January 12, 2009)
| MARIANNE WILLENSON May 17, 1930 - January 10, 2009 Marianne died on January 10, 2009 at the age of 78, after her third recurrence of ovarian cancer. Despite being born in Berlin, Germany she had Austrian citizenship because of her father. She immigrated to the United States in 1938, and became a U.S. citizen in 1944. She earned her first degree as an occupational therapist, working in New York, Texas, Louisiana and Minnesota. She married David Willenson in 1952. After David earned his Ph.D. in 1959, they moved to Brainerd, Minnesota from Louisiana, where they had two children. Marianne was very active volunteering in Minnesota through charitable, political, educational, and service organizations. In 1976, she moved with her family to Duluth, Minnesota. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and taught at three schools in Duluth. Shortly after completing her masters as a reading counselor at UMD in 1986, she was hired by the Child Guidance Clinic (Winnipeg, Manitoba) to serve the Winnipeg School District. Marianne became a Canadian citizen in 1995 and held dual U.S./Canadian citizenship. For twelve years, she served many schools, working with elementary through high school students and staff as a reading clinician, before retiring in 1998. In Winnipeg, Marianne again was an active volunteer for the Manitoba Naturalist Society, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and Agassiz Festival. All her life, she pursued her interests in the environment, education, travel, world cultures and the performing and visual arts (music, opera, theater, ballet, art museums). She was preceded in death by her husband, David. She is survived by her son Keith and his family: Heather, Jayden, and Dottie; by her daughter Katherine and her family: Daniel and Sarah; and by her adopted daughter Sandra and her family: Zenia, Katie, and Kayla. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to your favorite charity. Her children are very grateful to the staff at Cancer Care Manitoba, Women's Hospital, and Riverview Health Centre for her excellent care. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday January 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 1077 Grant Ave. Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn 885 - 9715 |
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