Obituary of Marie Martha Rolfe

Marie Martha Rolfe (nee Barnes)
October 25, 1927 – February 11, 2023
Corner Brook, NL
 

The world has lost a woman with the most giving heart and heaven has gained a gentle soul, a mother and grandmother. Our kind, loving, humorous mother, Marie Rolfe, has been reunited with our Father and is at peace once again. Our beloved mother passed peacefully away on Saturday, February 11, in Corner Brook Long-term Care surrounded by her loving family at the age of 95 years.

Marie loved life and loved to be busy and have fun with her family!! She was born in Curling and over the years had many moves around the island but her love was Corner Brook, so in 2001 her and her husband moved back. There they lived with her daughter’s family for 10 years before she went to Mountain View Retirement Center, then Long-term Care (Bungalows and Raspberry Road).

Marie was an entrepreneur before her time as she established and owned many different businesses (Baie Verte Motel, Deer Lake Plumbing and Heating, Deer Lake Confectionary Store, Eaton’s order office (Deer Lake), Sears order office (Burgeo) and 2 Pool Halls (Deer Lake and Burgeo)). She was always exceptional in math and the businesses kept her sharp. She especially loved the pool halls where she enjoyed the teenagers she met and she always empowered and supported them to be their best. Marie is most renowned for devoting her life to her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends of her family. She made time for everyone and never tired of taking care of and listening to them. She had many passions including cleaning, curling, baking, singing, dancing, listening to music, playing cards (especially 120 and crib), knitting and doing puzzles. Marie will be missed by all!!!

Marie leaves behind her devoted and loving family to celebrate her life. Her family includes her children: Tony Rolfe (Susan), Dianne Devin (Dan) and Paula Rolfe (Byron Caines); grandchildren: Julia, Rebecca, Nicholas (Catherine), and Jessica Rolfe, Kaitlin Stead (Jordan), Richard (Laura) and Joanne Devin (Paul), Andrea and Mark Caines (Alana), and great grandchild Raymond, as well as a large circle of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, William (Bill) Rolf (2011), parents Charles and Naomi Barnes, sisters Bessie Currie (George) and Hilda Gillam (Alexander), and brother Murdoch Barnes (Alice), parents-in-law William and Matilda Rolfe, brother-in-law Herman (Amy) Rolf, sisters-in-law Bessie (Gordon) Butler and Pearl (Jack) Williams. We are sure Bill is waiting for her to play cards and make yet another Christmas cake for his heavenly birthday.

We want to extend a special thank you to the caring and loving staff at Mountain View Retirement Centre, the Protective Community Residence (Bungalow 1) and Corner Brook Long-term Care (Raspberry Road). Special thanks to her niece Judy Gillam, nephew Greg Barnes, and niece Joan and Doug Bennett who visited frequently when times were good and when times were not so good. Also special thanks to Ina Osmond and Judy Ozon for making our mothers life a lot brighter in being available to sit with her and chat, do puzzles, sing and play cards.

Many that cared for Marie enjoyed our mother’s sense of humour and they certainly enriched her life while providing comfort to her and her family. She was blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful and caring people.

At Marie’s request, cremation has taken place. A public visitation will be held at Fillatre Funeral Home, 4 St. Mark’s Avenue, on Wednesday, February 15, from 7-9pm. A private Celebration of Life will follow later in the week with Reverend Jocelyn Cook Officiating. Masks are recommended for the visitation and memorial service.

As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to the Protective Community Residences for Dementia patients to the Western Regional Hospital Foundation, through Fillatre Funeral Home or by contacting the Foundation office directly at (709) 784-5353 or by emailing foundation@westernhealth.nl.ca.

The family guest book may be signed through www.fillatre.ca

The mist has now been lifted, in front of me I see,

A path that is so clear, that will lead me back to me,

A light that is now shining, to guide me on my way,

With a lifetime of memories, as down to rest I lay.

For my true love Bill, is waiting there for me.

He went there before me, to prepare a place you see,

My children have been my anchor, for which I can’t complain,

Their love and care have made me strong, for just this special day.

So please don’t be sad for me, for now I’m not in pain,

And I am eager just to see, what God has planned for me.