Marie BALFOUR-STEVENS

Marie Balfour photo BALFOUR-STEVENS, Catherine Marie

After a brief illness, Marie Balfour-Stevens gently succumbed to cancer at the Ottawa General Hospital on Thursday, July 10, 2014, surrounded by her loving husband and her three devoted children. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1932, a little sister to the late Douglas McCarthy and Ronald McCarthy, Marie moved first to Memphis, Tennessee before settling in Ottawa, where she married her first husband, Samuel Balfour, and where they raised their three children, Cathy (bill Rowe), Andrew (Barbara Steele) and Tom (François Brissette). During this time, Marie devoted herself to her family, to her community and to her Church. She actively volunteered in numerous organizations, CHEO and the Ottawa Public Library to name just a couple, and spent countless hours at Immaculate Heart of Mary, first running various fundraising activities, singing in the Choir and later more directly serving as a Eucharistic minister.

Marie lived her life deliberately, quietly and spiritually. She will be sorely missed by her extended family, including the Balfour clan out West and her second family with John Stevens and his daughters, Moira Matthews, Wendy (Derek Moore) and Denise (Kevin Henderson). Marie was blessed with two families, and leaves so many nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all who were touched by her kind spirit and generosity. The family was so grateful to all who reached out over the past few days to share your memories and your love for our dear Mother. We would especially like to personally thank the extraordinary medical team at Ottawa General Hospital. Each and every one of you made our Mother's final days as comfortable and peaceful as possible and we will be forever grateful.

A mass will be celebrated on July 14 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 1758 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa. As Marie spread her generosity across so many organizations, a donation to your own favourite charity would be appreciated, or volunteer your time and talent in her honour.

Condolences and Sharing Memories at www.kellyfh.ca
SC Brown
Jul/14