Obituary of Marion McDuffe

Marion Elizabeth McDuffe, age 76, passed away unexpectedly February 12, 2026 at Health Science Center in Winnipeg, while being treated for cancer.  It's been a full year since diagnosis.  Marion faced all her cancer treatments with strength and determination and fought a good battle. 

She was born August 25, 1949 in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba to John and Sadie Michaluk, (Chalmers).  When Marion was in grade one, her family moved to the town of Dauphin. Dauphin was larger than Gilbert Plains. She would often tell the story of when she moved, she failed grade one because in Gilbert Plains they mostly played but in Dauphin they did actual schoolwork. 

In eighth grade, Marions father said she'd go to boarding school if her grades didn't get better. One day her response was, "send me then, I want to go" and he did.  She was sent to Sacred Heart Academy in Yorkton Saskatchewan, which she loved and often told stories from her Sacred Heart Days. 

Following graduation from Sacred Heart, Marion moved to Brandon and attended one year at Brandon University and then accepted a position at Brandon Mental Health Center as a summer relief student.  In that fall of 1970, she was accepted into the psychiatric nursing program.  She graduated in 1972 as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and practiced for the next 30+ years with absolutely no regrets in her career choice.  She found it very rewarding. 

At her grade 12 graduation, her grad partner was Barry McDuffe and yes, they married in the fall of 1973. Both were from Dauphin and both psychiatric nurses.  

Marions passion for life revolved around the four “F's” Family, Faith, Friends and Food. 

The family grew quickly; daughter Darcie was born in 1974, son Warren in 1976, and son Christopher in 1978.  Life then centered primarily around family, work, and friends.  As the kids grew up, the family grew with marriages and grandchildren. Marion maintained a keen interest in all facets of her six grandchildren’s lives.  

Being a very social person, she was always enthusiastic, outgoing, and never afraid to introduce herself to others and hear their story.   Marion had many groups of friends with whom she would connect regularly. There was the morning A&W group, the retiree group, the walking track group at healthy living, the Fordyce group as well as the individual lunch people.  

She was a person of great faith, an active member of St Augustine's Parish, had taught catechism, a catholic women's league member, and helped for many years with St Vincent de Paul...  She was also an avid watcher and promoter of Father Paul’s online Sunday mass from Flin Flon.

Over the years there were many celebrations hosted in the McDuffe home.  The meals around the dining room table with family and friends, at Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and other special occasions.  She loved doing the food preparation and getting family and friends together.  

There were also many enjoyable summer get-togethers at the Otter Lake family cabin.  Going for walks, morning coffee, barbecuing and happy hours on the deck. There were lots of laughs and good times. 

Marion once booked a trip to Hawaii spontaneously and without telling Barry.  That was the first of many winter trips to follow. 

In her younger years, Marion was an avid curler and continued to love curling.  She was also a hockey fan who loved watching her grandsons play.  

We will all miss her unmistakable laugh.  Hearty and loud! 

Survived by her husband of 52 years Barry, daughter and son-in-law, Darcie and John Dixon, son and daughter-in-law, Warren and Maureen McDuffe, son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Sharon McDuffe. There are six grandchildren, Brady and Cole McDuffe, Sarah, Julia and Hayley Dixon, and Isla McDuffe.  A sister Grace Gascoigne, brother Don Michaluk and partner Skye Beck. Also, sister-in-law, Dianne Michaluk, brother-in-law, Vernon McDuffe and partner Cynthia Dawidowich, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Predeceased by parents, John and Sadie Michaluk, brother Gary, nephew Andrew Michaluk, brother-in-law Bill Gascoigne, her in laws Chuck and Eileen McDuffe and brother-in-law Dale McDuffe. 

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, 327 4^th  Street, Brandon Manitoba. 

In liey of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation - Westman Cancer Centre, 150 McTavish Avenue, East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 7H8. 

“How lucky are we to have someone, that makes saying goodbye so hard”.