April 16, 1938 - December 30, 2021
Marie Irene Legault 83 years of age, born April 16, 1938 in Melfort Saskatchewan, Passed away on December 30, 2021 in Nanaimo, B.C.
Marie was predeceased by her husband Gerard Albert Legault. She was a mother to her 3 sons, Jerry (Ilene), Donald (Angela) and Laurie (John) and 2 stepsons Donald (Shelly) and Bruce (Lidia). She was a grandmother and great grandmother.
She spent her life in nursing. She started her psychiatric nursing career in the big institutions with an RPN designation in 1957. She returned to school in 1981 to become a registered nurse/ RN. She spent more than 50 years working and teaching in a variety of hospitals and classrooms. She taught for decades at the Vancouver Island University. In 1995 she was recognized as a community leader in Nanaimo B.C. In 1997 she received an award of merit in the category of psychiatric nursing practise. At the age of 62, she once again became a student, and completed her bachelor of science in nursing/ BScN. In 2007, she received an award of excellence from the college of registered psychiatric nurses of B.C. for outstanding contribution as a registered psychiatric nurse in the category of education. She started the suicide hot line in Kelowna B.C, and co-founded the Nanaimo needle exchange program. She worked for years as a nurse for the mentally and physically challenged and worked for the Nanaimo correctional institute. In her later years she wrote two published books.
Marie was career orientated but that didn't stop her from doing things to make friends and family extra special. She loved having tea parties or going out for tea. She loved Christmas time and planning other special functions. This was evident in the notes and pictures she lovingly preserved for the last 70 years. Marie also loved to travel. Although she wished she could have done more, she did have the chance to travel to Korea, India, Italy, several European countries, and many places in the USA and Canada.
People who first meet Marie often described her as very stern looking (almost scary) But soon found out that she was very interesting, knowledgeable, and even fun with a good sense of humor. Stories of her will be told for many years by friends, family, and students.
She definitely made an impact on this world. She was loved by family, friends, and students.
She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
No Service will be held at this time due to Covid 19 and many other factors.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Marie may be made by way of donation to Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation