Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marlene Kathryn Armstrong (nee Chase) on Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 at home in Fergus, Ontario. Marlene was born on February 18th, 1936 in Fort Frances, Ontario to Norman and Geraldine (Reid) Chase. Her love of music was instilled into her at a very young age by her parents. Marlene along with her three sisters formed the Chase sisters that had their very own radio show on CFOB in the early 50’s. She had many careers working at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Center as a medical stenographer and then when moving back to Fort Frances in 1973 started a 23-year career working for Family and Children’s Services retiring in December 1996. Marlene was united in marriage with the love of her life Harold “Bo” Armstrong on September 15th, 1956. Bo and Marlene were married for more than 61 years raising their two children. Mother to son Hal Armstrong (Renee), grandsons Ciaran (Melanie) and Aidan Armstrong of Fergus, Ontario. Mother to daughter Kathryn Kaszas (Steve), grandson Stephen (Samantha), and favourite granddaughter Hallie of Toronto, Ontario. Mom was most at home playing the piano where she would sit and play for hours on end, with my dad watching his “Lady Marlene” with a huge smile on his face.  Mom did not just share her music with our dad. She was very active in her church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian and was the organist for years. She also shared her keyboard talent for many weddings and celebration of life services at St. Andrew’s. Most recently, mom brought her talents to her most recent homes (Heritage River in Elora, Ontario and Caressant Care in Fergus, Ontario) entertaining residents and staff. Nothing brings back a smile to a person’s face more than music and Marlene had the gift of being able to play any song. All you had to do was hum it and away she would go!  In addition to her church duties Marlene was a member of the Redwing Rebekah Lodge in Fort Frances. Marlene was predeceased by her husband (Harold Bo Armstrong), parents (Norman and Geraldine Chase) and three sisters and husbands, Gerrine (Jack) Mott of Winnipeg Manitoba, Jo-Anne (Doug) McCaig of Fort Frances Ontario and Jane( Ray) Dufresne of Thunder Bay Ontario. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in laws, Reginald Armstrong of Apsley Ontario, Phoebe (Jergen) Mosley of Atikokan Ontario, Vivian (Don) Mullikan of Onalaska Wisconsin, Sylvia (Dwayne) Batcher of International Falls, Minnesota, Dorothy (Verner) Norlund of Rainy River Ontario, Betty (George) Cawston of Fort Frances Ontario, Pauline Smith of Winnipeg Manitoba and Danny Rostie of Thunder Bay Ontario. Marlene is survived by her sister-in-law Anita Rostie of Toronto Ontario, Shirley (Maxwell) Judd of Mississauga Ontario, Brother-in-law Glen Armstrong of Fort Frances Ontario, Roger Armstrong (Linda) of Wasaga Beach Ontario and Bill Smith of Winnipeg Manitoba. Marlene will be greatly missed by many nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends and family members. A Celebration of Life was held in Fergus, Ontario on October 15th. Online condolences may be offered at www.grahamgiddyfh.com. A celebration of Life is planned in Fort Frances on Tuesday, October 25th. Internment at the Riverview Cemetery @ 11:30am. Luncheon at the La Place Rendez-Vous Restaurant @ 1pm. If friends so desire in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fort Frances Community Chest, c/o Linda Hamilton 1725 Sunset Drive, Fort Frances Ontario. P9A-3V2 https://fortfrancescommunitychest.com/