Marie Annie Gemmell (nee Balch)

With sadness we announce Marie Gemmell passed away on Sunday, November 17th, 2024, at Portage General Hospital at the age of 82 years. 

Lovingly remembered by her husband of 55 years, Lloyd Gemmell of Portage la Prairie, son Rob (Anita) Gemmell also of Portage, daughter Loralee (Brad) Orr of Calgary and grandchildren Trace and Zoe Gemmell and Liam and Callum Orr. She will be missed by her sister-in-law Peggy (Ted) Moon and numerous nieces and nephews. Marie was predeceased by her brother David (Shirley) Balch, brother-in-law Ken (Joan) Gemmell, sister-in-law Audrea (Jim) Hourie, grandson Keenan Gemmell and her parents James Balch, Frances Sharp and step-father Stanley Sharp of Portage la Prairie. 

Marie was born in Portage General Hospital to James and Frances Balch. She grew up on a mixed farm south of Portage and attended South Ridge Road School in her elementary years and the Portage Collegiate for high school. Born on January 12th, 1942, she entered school early and graduated with the class of 1959, in her 17th year. From a young age, Marie loved reading, writing and knowledge which led her to pursue a Teachers Certificate at Brandon Teachers College.  

Marie and Lloyd met while she was working as a bank teller at the Canadian Bank of Commerce. They married on November 1st, 1969 and settled on the Gemmell family farm 3 miles east of Portage where she quietly and efficiently ran the household for over 50 years. Marie will be remembered for her extensive knowledge gained from voracious reading, beautiful singing voice, love for music, razor sharp wit, but mostly for her love of family, her work ethic and desire to ensure everyone and everything was looked after as she laboured in the background.  

Marie loved the family farm and the new bungalow they built together in 2008 enabled her to stay there until her final days. She enjoyed her garden, pickling, canning and making jam to ensure nothing went to waste, bird watching out the window, and keeping in touch with her family and friends on Facebook, never forgetting a birthday or anniversary, she was the family genealogist. Each day until she was no longer able, Marie wrote in her diary to keep a record of what was happening on the farm, always noting the weather! She was determined to look after all of us, even as she battled cancer this year, the cookie jar was always full and the table set for morning breakfast before she retired for the evening.  

While we are deeply saddened by the loss of our wife, mother, aunt, and friend, her life and her impact on those she loved is one to be celebrated. 

Please join us for the service at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, Portage la Prairie on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 4:00 pm, led by Amy Chappellaz. The service will be livestreamed, to register and view see below. Family interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.  

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Marie’s memory as a donation to Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8 or the Community Foundation of Portage and District, 206 Saskatchewan Ave East, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K9. 

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com