Sept 7, 1978 – Feb 12, 2023
Our Precious Marlena is gone. She is survived by her brothers Seamus Little and Markus Koenig (Tara). Loving daughter to Simon and Kerry Little (deceased). A very special aunt to Molly and Harrison. Fondly remembered by her large family both on the Little and Jerred sides, as well as the Mackenzie/Phillips clan. Uncles and aunts and many cousins will dearly miss her.
Marlena was born and raised in Orillia, Ontario. She attended Ecole Samuel-De-Champlain and Twin Lakes High School followed by a degree in film studies at Queens University. What can we say about Marlena? Her affectionate nicknames were many and playful: “Mar-looney, Loon, Looners, Toons, Laney”.
Marlena had a magnetic personality, and had a profound positive effect on others, leaving an indelible impression on everyone she met. Marlena was equal parts force-of-nature as well as loving and compassionate. She was bright, and insightful and concerned about the world around her. She had a fantastic, witty sense of humour! Joy and laughter followed Marlena everywhere she went.
Relationships with friends and family were paramount to Marlena. She forged many lifelong friendships (Kim, Erin, Christina, Sallie and Sarah) over the years.
Marlena's adventurous spirit and insatiable curiousity took her around the world, a travel bug she kept up until her final days. In the last nine months of her life, Marlena travelled to more destinations and took in more concerts than many people do in years, while making sure to share each of those special memories with her loved ones. A highlight for Marlena was the annual family trip to Killbear Provincial Park with the Mackenzie's in late summer, a tradition started in the early 1980's. Those camping trips bore hundreds of stories and experiences that are remembered with great fondness by all those who were there. It didn't matter what was happening in Marlena's life, when it came time to plan for that year's trip to Killbear, she would say, “I'M GOING!”
Marlena’s life, although tragically short, was full of wonderful experiences, rich with cherished relationships among countless family and friends. Even though our hearts are broken, all those who knew and loved Marlena count it as a blessing and an un-measurable privilege to have known her. The family would like to thank all of the Health Professionals in the Oncology Department at Sunnybrook Hospital for the care Marlena received there. We also thank Dan and Patty Jerred (Marlena's Uncle and Aunt) for the extra special care they provided for Marlena in the last few years of her courageous life.
A “Celebration of Life” is being planned for family and friends on May 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Oro Farm, 2574 Line 10 N Hawketone.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Orillia Lighthouse as well as directly through Marlena’s fundraising page for Sunnybrook Foundation’s PYNK ~Young Women with Breast Cancer Initiative. Donations for the Lighthouse may be made through the Simcoe Funeral Home, 38 James St. East, Orillia, ON. 705-327-0221. Messages of condolence are welcomed at https://simcoefuneralhome.ca