Obituary of Amelia Emily Marshy (nee Hoskins)

Passed away peacefully in her sleep early Tuesday morning, August 23, 2022, age 88. Emily leaves behind siblings Fred, Brian, and Norbert, and is predeceased by Joanne, Mary and Leo. She was the proud matriarch of a loving family that includes her children James (deceased), Leila (Colleen Ayoup), Nadia (John Large), Mona, Robert (Natascha née Schatz), her 11 grandchildren Samia, Emma, Adrian, Tauran, Hailie Lemlem, Justin, Ben, Luke, Logan, Annika, Michaela, and two great grandchildren Kasjan and Helena.

Emily was the second of seven children born to Alimeta (Minnie) Wilcott and Thomas Hoskins in St Alban’s, Newfoundland. Emily earned a teaching certificate and taught in a one-room schoolhouse on Wood’s Island, near Corner Brook. She met her future husband, Adib Bishara Marshy from Palestine via Lebanon, who was working at the nearby Stephenville Airforce base. They married soon after and moved to Montreal to build a life.

Emily had five children in six years and loved every minute of it. When the last of her children was off to school, she attended McGill University at night to obtain her Quebec teaching certificate, an accomplishment she was deeply proud of. She was a talented seamstress, sewing, knitting and crocheting complex outfits for her children and their dolls and Barbies. She even sewed the bathing suits for Nadia’s synchronized swim team. In 1977, the family moved to Ottawa, where Emily was widowed at the age of 50. She supported herself by working at an optical store and by welcoming tenants into her home, many of whom remained life-long friends. Generous by nature, she volunteered with charities to help families navigate their first year in Canada. She traveled extensively in her retirement years, proudly filling a world map in her living room with dozens of red pins.

More than anything else, Amelia loved her family and cherished having her children and grandchildren nearby. She was an enthusiastic hands-on grandmother, and found enormous pleasure teaching her grandchildren new skills and passing on her Newfoundland culture and stories. She revelled in hosting dinners, joining outings, celebrating holidays, keeping in close touch with family in Newfoundland, dedicating time to her beautiful garden, and jumping at any chance to give gifts. An early computer adopter, she took full advantage of the technology to stay in touch with family and friends. She was funny, full of life, loved stories and surprises, and could never keep a secret.

In her later years, Amelia moved into a retirement home and was then diagnosed with dementia. During the pandemic, Robert and Natascha graciously took her into their family home, sparing her the hardship of lockdowns. We are grateful to the Granite Ridge Care Community, Stittsville, who took care of her in her final months.

A chapel service will be held at 2pm on Friday, September 2, 2022, followed by interment and reception, at Pinecrest Cemetery, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa. The chapel service will be livestreamed at this link: Service

Should you wish to donate in Amelia’s honour, please consider Shepherds of Good Hope.