THIESSEN, Marianne
Marianne was born on April 5, 1935, a twin to Lilianne, in Drake, Saskatchewan, parents Hans and Anna (Regier) Dyck. She died on Saturday evening, November 8, 2014. The arrival of the twins was a momentous occasion, widely known and always remembered by the community to this day. As a child of a father who served in the capacity of public school teacher, pastor and Bible School instructor, she moved a number of times, completing her High School in Langham. Motivated in part by her father she, along with her twin, entered the nursing profession at St. Paul’s. Her younger sister, Connie, followed. She applied her profession in Saskatoon, Waldheim, Nigeria, Rosthern, Calgary and Abbotsford, as she moved with her husband. During the year 1957-58 she attended Canadian Mennonite Bible College, an experience which she regarded as stimulating and enjoyable. Along with Bible, she majored in choir and piano, leading to the completion of her Grade 10 in Royal Conservatory piano. This was also the year she met Bill, which was “love at first sight for me”. On August 1st, 1959 Marianne married Bill Thiessen who initially entered the teaching profession. Together they served in Nigeria from 1965 to 1968, at the remote Ochaja Teachers College, accompanied by Joanne and Byron, where she served as compound nurse, and again from 1971 to 1974 as co-country director of MCC Nigeria with Bill. In the interim years she was a nurse at Rosthern General Hospital while Bill taught at Rosthern Jr. College. In 1976 Bill accepted the position of MCC Alberta executive director, and she served as nurse at Foothills Hospital. In 1990, when Bill became MCC BC associate director, Marianne nursed in the Abbotsford Regional Hospital until her retirement. Following retirement in 2001, she and Bill travelled abroad, extensively, frequently accepting short term service assignments. Marianne’s life of service and witness shone throughout her life until the day before she was hospitalized for surgery on October 23rd. Marianne leaves to mourn husband Bill, daughter Joanne, son Byron and daughter-in-law Kim, granddaughters Meghan (Justin Fuhr), Jesse, sisters Lilianne (Al) , and Connie (John); brother Arnold (Elizabeth). We grieve deeply. Donation in her memory may be made to MCC International Ministries. Viewing and moments of prayer will be held on Thursday, November 13 from 7-9:00 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford. Service in memory of Marianne will take place on Friday, November 14 at 2 pm, at South Abbotsford Church, 32424 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford. Online condolences to the family may be made at: www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com Arrangements entrusted to: Woodlawn Funeral Home 604-853-2643