Skip to content

MARLIES NUMSEN

August 7, 2016

Marlies (Marie-Luise Henriette) Numsen, nee Modrow, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family August 7th, 2016 at the age of 92. She was predeceased by her husband Kurt Numsen and daughter Marion Speier, nee Numsen.

Born March 5th, 1924 in Modrowshorst, West Prussia, Marlies spent her youth on a beautiful family estate. These happy and privileged times abruptly came to end when WWII broke out. At the age of 21, Marlies was forced to leave behind both her family and home in order to escape to the West, never to be reunited with her family again. In this desperate and seemingly hopeless situation she met her future husband, Kurt. The couple married only three months later on May 7th, 1945. The following years led them to a number of places where they started to rebuild mainly in farming, finally settling in Hattingen, West Germany. Here they set up a new home for their large family which eventually included 5 children: Klaus-Jürgen (Rita), Rolf (Clara), Marion (Helmut), Werner (Reingard), and Frederik (Loraine).

Marlies enjoyed painting, reading, and writing letters and took a keen interest in world politics. She was a loving and supportive wife and mother, who never tired of making plans for new ventures or of helping her children find their own place in life. In 1979 Kurt and Marlies came to Summerland to set up a new home. Canada had been their shared dream which they enjoyed to the fullest. The climate, the outdoors and the local fruit, but especially Lake Okanagan, which she enjoyed daily at Powell Beach, were all savored. Both Kurt and Marlies quickly integrated into the community and were long time members in the local Lions Club. Eventually 4 of the 5 children also settled in Canada and with the addition of 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, their home became the focal point for many gatherings and happy celebrations. The only darkness during her time in Summerland came with the passing of her husband Kurt (2010) and the devastating loss of both her son-in-law Helmut (2012) and of her only daughter Marion (2013).

Yet Marlies never complained, not even when physical ailments began to set in and increasingly dominated her daily routine. Throughout the last phase of her life she was cared for mainly by her son Frederik and his wife Loraine. Loving support was provided by the whole family, especially by her daughter-in-law Reingard and long term caregivers Brigitte Haist and Christina Hughes who provided many years of tireless care, initially for Kurt and shifting to Marlies as loss of hearing and blindness set in. When she finally passed, she did so in a manner in which she had lived her long, eventful, and full life - with true dignity.

We will always remember our Omi. May she receive eternal life.

Gone yet not forgotten, your spirit lives forever in our hearts.

Cremation has taken place.

Funeral arrangements will be in early October.

Condolences may be directed to Frederik Numsen,

3905 Gartrell Rd, Summerland BC V0H 1Z4

or phone 250-494-4159

or email frederik.numsen@shaw.ca



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.