Marian Louise Burke

Marian was born on April 21, 1930, in Western Shore, Lunenburg Co., to the late Owen and Anne Laurie Sawler. Marian began her education in a one room schoolhouse in Western Shore. The family moved to Halifax in 1940 where she attended Bloomfield Jr. High School and Queen Elizabeth High School, graduating in 1949. Marian worked at the Pathology Laboratory at the Victoria General Hospital for 38 years. She obtained her Registered Technologist certification from the Canadian Society of Chemical Technology in 1960. Marian was a Supervisor in the Microbiology Dept. until her retirement in 1987.

Marian loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching, gardening, camping, driving her 1946 Willy Jeep and her motorcycle up into her 80’s. She loved spending time at the camp in Clearland.

Marian was predeceased by her husband, Earle, a WWII Veteran, brother Obed Rafuse, brother-in-law Kenneth Herman, sisters-in-law Aulda Rafuse, Phyllis Herman and Dorothy Lloy. She is survived by nieces Janice Rafuse-Crowe (David), Vicki Flinn (Leo), Susan Butts (Bill), Christine Rainnie (Michael), nephew Randall Herman (Jennifer), several great-nieces and nephews and dear friend, Ruth Bulmer. Marian was pleased to be honorary grandmother to the Kubik children.

In keeping with Marian’s wishes cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life and reception will take place at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, 10am on Friday, April 22, 2022, with Reverend Pauline Coffin officiating. The family requests guests to please wear masks. Interment to follow in Western Shore Cemetery, 6630 Lighthouse Route, Western Shore. Donations may be made in Marian’s honour to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or the QEII Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Marian wanted to thank Lynn Key and the caregivers at Heart to Heart in Home Care, where she resided for the past three years, for their wonderful care and compassion. Also special thanks to Dr. Frank Doane, Dr. Christopher MacKnight, Dr. Isabella Dobek, Everett Sawler, Rebecca Knickle, Helen Kelly and Danielle Kubik.

Messages of condolence can be sent to the family by visiting www.JASnowFuneralHome.com