In Memory of

Marion

Madeline

Abbott

(Vannatter)

Obituary for Marion Madeline Abbott (Vannatter)

Gone to be fully with her Saviour, Jesus Christ. With the same quiet demeanor and deep faith with which she lived her life, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother has finished the last leg of her journey here on earth. Marion passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Marion was born in Norwich, Ontario, the 4th child of Roy Vannatter and Ellen (Watling) Vannatter. Marion was the last of the family to pass on. Predeceased by her parents, her 5 sisters and their husbands—Ilene (Colin), Ruth (Don), Phyllis (Clare), Marguerite (Walt), Norma—and her 2 brothers—Don and Kenneth “Bill” Vannatter. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Don’s wife, Marjorie Vannatter; her brother-in-law Clarence (Faye) Abbott, and numerous nieces and nephews. Cared for tenderly by her loving husband, with the help of family and other wonderful caregivers these last 13+ years, Marion lived a full life of loving integrity, unswerving in her faith and convictions and her love for her family. Some of her past service includes: volunteer at Tillsonburg Hospital Auxiliary; member of Tillsonburg Golf and Country Club; deacon at First Baptist Church, Tillsonburg; curler extraordinaire with the Tillsonburg curling club; active member and Sunday school teacher at Glen Meyer Baptist Church. Marion’s highest honour was serving her husband, children, and grandchildren. We all knew we were special because of her. Marion will be sadly missed by her family: her husband of 67 years, Bert Abbott; her son, Murray (Beverly) of London, ON; grandson Jonathan (Rachelle) and great-grandson Colton of Vancouver BC; granddaughter Sarah of St. Thomas, ON; her daughter Mary-Ellen Wiebe of Simcoe Ont; granddaughter Catherine (Tim Fox) and great-granddaughters Lucy and Beatrice of Hamilton ON; and granddaughter Hilary of Hamilton, ON; her son Robert (Jean) of Tillsonburg, ON; and her daughter Ruth-Ann (Steve Nagy) and granddaughters Ellen and Emily of Tillsonburg ON. This is Marion’s song, sung by her even when she could speak no more:

And now this day, I've crossed the river
I’ve fought life's final war with pain
And then, as death gave way to victory
l see the lights of glory and I know He reigns

Because He lives, You can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.

The visitation will be held at Ostrander’s Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell St., Tillsonburg, ON, N4G 3T6, (519) 842-5221 on Friday February 02, 2018 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral service will be held in the Ostrander’s Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday February 3rd, 2018 at 4:00pm. Interment to take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or to First Baptist Church, Tillsonburg.