MARIANNE CATHY PRIMEAU (SOHOR)

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MARIANNE CATHY PRIMEAU (SOHOR) Marianne passed away peacefully at St. Boniface General Hospital on Sunday, July 25, 2004, following a courageous battle with breast cancer. Left to mourn and to forever cherish her memory are her husband Don; their dearest daughter Stephanie; father Steve Sohor; brothers, Richard (Sharon), David (Sandy), Gordon (Elaine), their children and a large extended family. Marianne also leaves several exceptional friends who cared for and supported her and her family lovingly and compassionately in her failing health. We were truly blessed by the friendship of Cathy, Ellen, Lorraine, Linda, Danny and Maggie. Marianne is reunited with her dear mother and best friend, Mary Sohor, who left us in April, 1998. Marianne was born in Winnipeg on April 4, 1957. She grew up in the Garden City area and graduated from Garden City Collegiate, having excelled both scholastically and athletically. She enjoyed her position as Office Manager for Prairie Fire Place Ltd. for several years before her diagnosis with breast cancer required her to reduce her workload to part-time and then subsequently to full retirement. Marianne loved her garden, travelling with Don and Stephanie and greatly enjoyed their time at the family cottage at Falcon Lake. Marianne faced the adversity of her "dragon" with unbounded resolve and participated in numerous breast cancer groups, activities and studies. She was a founding member of the Chemo Savvy Dragon Boat Team in 1998 and served a two year term as Chemo Savvys first Chairperson. She was instrumental in its incorporation and in obtaining its grant of charitable status. When Marianne could no longer paddle due to her failing health she became one of the teams drummers. Her competitive spirit led her to take Japanese drumming lessons with Fubuki Daiko and she subsequently won the Drumming Championship at the 2003 Manitoba Dragon Boat Festival. She penned her story as a contribution to the book "How to Ride a Dragon - Women with Breast Cancer Tell Their Stories". This publication was sold as a fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative and has become a valued resource for women and their families who find themselves in a similar battle. Marianne discovered her performing talents when she obtained an acting role in the play "Handle with Care" which was performed in conjunction with the 2002 Together Conference and subsequently for the professional staff at CancerCare Manitoba and other interested caregivers. Marianne also volunteered as a model at the Guardian Angel Breast Cancer Benefit and other similar events. Marianne somehow also found the time and energy to serve as a volunteer at the Breast Cancer Centre of Hope where she provided office support, planting the "Garden of Hope" and peer support counselling for women recently diagnosed. She gave all she had - her struggle was truly heroic - she was an inspiration to all of those close to her. She was a beautiful person, a devoted and loving wife and mother who was tragically taken from us far too early. She will be missed, never forgotten and always loved. A celebration of Mariannes life will be held Friday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main St. (204) 338-7111. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Chemo Savvy Dragon Boat Team, 389 Brandon Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0T3 or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 29, 2004