Marlene Gay Metcalfe

Gay was born to Stella Aileen [Lee] Barchet (nee Watts) and Helmut Robert [Mel] Barchet on Monday, April 2, 1951. Gay's parents were married in 1948 in Winnipeg, MB, then moved to Pilot Mound, where Mel opened a barber shop, pool hall and bowling alley. Gay's parents had two children, Carla in 1949 and Gay in 1951.

In the early 1950's Mel re-enlisted in the Armed Forces and was stationed in Esquimalt, BC then transferred to Camp Shilo, MB. The family lived in close by Brandon where, in November 1968, Gay and Ron first met, love blossomed and a 54-year romance began.

In 1969, Gay's parents moved to Chilliwack, while she remained in Brandon continuing her employment at Fairview Personal Care Home. In 1970 she joined her parents in Chilliwack first working with her aunt and uncle at Cultus Lake then in the Extended Care Unit of Chilliwack General Hospital - a job that she loved. Gay had great compassion for her patients and treated them all like family. Ron moved to Chilliwack after his graduation from Brandon University. Gay and Ron were married on Saturday, April 3, 1971 and, for the next two- and one-half years, Ron continued his employment as a lab assistant at Chilliwack Senior Secondary School while Gay continued her employment Chilliwack General Hospital. Beginning in fall of 1973, with Gay's support, Ron studied for a teaching certificate at Simon Fraser University.

Then In June 1974, Ron accepted a teaching position at Princeton Secondary School and, in August 1974, moved to Princeton, BC. Four years later, they began to expand their family. Their son, James Robert, was born on January 22, 1978 followed by daughters Melissa Gaylene on September 11, 1980 and Crystal Leanne on December 24, 1983.

Gay loved both children and young people. The home was always filled with kids and their friends. In addition, Gay assisted at the Activity Centre, babysitting other teachers' children and helping to supervise teenagers on high school field trips. During the late seventies and mid eighties, Ron completed two more degrees which led to a vice principalship at Columeetza Senior Secondary School in 1991. Another move – this time to Williams Lake, BC.

Gay worked at Hollywood Video in Williams Lake for several years and eventually accepted a position as manager at Crazy Mike's Video in 100 Mile House. As Ron was already an administrator at the GROW Centre in 100 Mile House, Gay, Ron and Crystal moved to 108 Mile Ranch, just north of 100 Mile House. In July 2006, Ron retired from teaching resulting in still another move, this time to Moose Jaw, SK to join their elder daughter, Melissa (son-in-law, David Lawrence) and youngest daughter, Crystal, who had moved to Regina.

Ron had joined the Williams Lake Lions Club in 1993 and continued that affiliation 100 Mile House and Moose Jaw. When Ron was elected as District Governor of southern Saskatchewan, Gay accompanied him on visits to the Lions Clubs in his area and the International Lions Convention in Hamburg, Germany. Gay enjoyed the visits, especially the Convention in Hamburg. Following the death of Gay's father in November 2013, Gay and Ron moved into her father's residence in Port Alberni, BC.

Gay was successfully treated for breast cancer in 2021, but cancer returned in spring 2023 this time involving her colon and liver. After a brave, but brief fight, Gay succumbed to the disease on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. At Gay's request, there will be no service, but a Celebration of Life will be held at a date and location to be decided.

Gay was predeceased by her parents, Mel and Lee Barchet. She is survived by her husband, Ron, their children Robert, Melissa and Crystal, their grandchildren, Josh, Isaac, Emma, Grace, Isabella and Jaxson and her nephew, Jabez, in Winnipeg. Gay is also survived by her sister, Carla Stephens, her daughter, Dawn-Marie, Dawn's children Teisha, Kelton and Reanna plus 3 great-nieces. and a great nephew.

Gay's remains will be cremated, stored then blended with Ron's ashes when he dies. The ashes will be scattered in places meaningful to both.

Gay's family would like to thank Drs. Hudson, Nell, Smith and Wheatley, the staffs of Palliative and Home Care plus the nursing staff at West Coast General Hospital for their thoughtful attention and advice. In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelofmemories.ca for the Metcalfe family.