Marion was born on May 25, 1930, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan where she would graduate from the nursing program at Moose Jaw General Hospital. Following further study at the University of Alberta she became a nursing instructor and supervisor. She taught in various schools, but primarily Vancouver Community College, and worked with students in all of the Metro Vancouver hospitals.
She felt increasingly drawn to church work, and became a pastoral visitor for Christ Church Cathedral. Much of her initial work was in palliative care wards caught up in the new epidemic of HIV/AIDS. It was out of this work that Marion, with the encouragement of others, discerned a call to the diaconate. In 1995, Bishop Michael Ingham ordained her as one of the first vocational deacons in the Diocese of New Westminster.
Marion was a longtime associate of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine and she was a member of the International Order of St Luke the Physician.
Marion and her husband Lyndon (Author/Broadcaster/Journalist and former Topic editor) celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding August 27, 2012.
She leaves behind her wonderful memories for Lyndon and their children, Deborah, Christopher and Peter. Marion was predeceased by her daughter Mala.
A requiem mass will be said at 2pm, Thursday, August 29, at Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street, Vancouver. Clergy are invited to vest and process. Liturgical colour is white.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Lyndon Grove at
#210 Augusta Grove
1690 Augusta Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5A 2V6
Image: Marion at a Christ Church Cathedral, Edwardian Days Event. Courtesy of the Grove Family