Marie Magdalene Blender

Marie, Mom, Grams
Rohsler, Bartosek, Blender

Known and loved by many, Marie has peacefully transitioned to the next phase of her journey.

The first chapter in her wonderful life began on July 20, 1940, in the small town of Springfield Saskatchewan where Marie was joyfully welcomed by her parents, Frank and Helen, and big brother Walter.  The adventure eventually took the family, including little sister Elaine, to Lethbridge Alberta, where Marie enjoyed the city life, working as an usher and planning to become an x-ray technician.  Marie changed her focus when she met and married Tony Bartosek and so began Chapter II.

Never to be deterred, the city girl became a country diva and quickly learned how to milk cows and pluck chickens, freeze vegetables and can fruit.  Marie was very young when she had her first daughter, Terry, who was followed by sisters Correne and Roxane, and brother Curtis.  Marie was a force of nature, even then, and made sure the children enjoyed many experiences, including visits to her parent’s coffee shop and Tony’s parent’s farm, learning to ski, play tennis, swim and golf.   Extended family get-togethers were numerous and joyful.

In 1977, the family turned the page and Marie started Chapter III when they moved from Lethbridge to Kelowna.  Marie knew very little about make-up and skin care, yet she met the challenge with alacrity when she owned and managed the 2^nd Look in Orchard Park Mall, making connections and friends along the way.  She used her new talents to write a weekly beauty article, ‘With You in Mind,’ and taught a personal image, make-up and skin-care course at Okanagan College.  When the store closed in 1986, Marie once again remained undeterred and became a realtor.

Chapter IV brought a very different trajectory for Marie.  She met Ray Blender and the two moved to Victoria where they settled in, married and both successfully continued their careers in real estate.  Marie furthered her expertise by sitting as a director on the Greater Victoria Real Estate Board and the British Columbia Real Estate Association.

Marie was sorry to leave her children Terry (Ron), Correne (Brian), Roxane (Cam) and Curtis and grandchildren behind, but greeted them and Ray’s children Sue (Lorne) Cate (Mark) and Chris (Erin) and grandchildren at their wonderful Superior Street home. The family and friends who visited share many happy memories in the over thirty-five years of being warmly welcomed by Marie and Ray, always the perfect hosts.

Chapter V:  Marie retired, slowing down with the physical demands of her job, but she always nurtured her relationships.  Marie was a long-time member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, starting back in Lethbridge and continuing through her time in Kelowna and Victoria.  Her friends and neighbours remained very important to her, as did her family.  Her seven children, fourteen grandchildren and ten (and counting) great grandchildren were always remembered with birthday cards, calls, and gifts.  She loved keeping closely connected to her brother’s and sister’s children, was a loyal friend to all and never had a bad word for anyone.

Marie wrote her final words on March 22, 2026, closing the book on a wonderful life filled with love, adventure and determination.  Her exquisite sense of style, her strength and willingness to tackle a challenge, and her joy of family and friends will always be remembered.  She will be missed very much but remain in our hearts with so much love.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Saturday, May 9^th, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

For those who would like to attend virtually, please use the following zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85321287969?pwd=F1M5tRQXCDIxJhzGcQon1UcFuOkQGN.1

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

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