(August 26, 1929 - February 29, 2020)
Died peacefully at home in her 91st year. Marie loved her family deeply: Susan (Abera Abay), Stephen, Nancy, Janet (Steve Kurta) and proud grandma (gran marie) of Peter Kurta and Daniel Abay. Dear sister of Bill Pinkerton (Lynda) and life long companion of Kathy Evoy. Marie will be missed by niece Jane MacNeil and nephew Jim Pinkerton and their families, and by cousins Jim, Lynda and Ann. Marie was a dear friend to so many. Marie was born in Norwich, Ontario to Murray and Doris (Rutherford) Pinkerton. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a BScN in 1952 and in 1977 completed her MScN at Wayne State University. While raising her family, Marie worked all her life in nursing and nursing education, from a Red Cross outpost in Minden to the Dean of Health Sciences at Sault College. Marie was an ardent community activist who advocated tirelessly for improved public services such as passenger rail, health care and climate change mitigation. She served as chair of the Algoma District Health Council and co-chair of the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains. Marie had an expansive love for the world around her. She planted thousands of trees on her beloved land in Leeburn. She travelled extensively: the Canadian Arctic continued to draw her back. Canoe trips with her on Lake Superior were epic. Marie had a fierce intellect and infectious love of life and friends. She will be truly missed. A Celebration of Life will take place at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with shared stories and memories at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations to Amnesty International in Marie’s memory would be greatly appreciated. We would like to thank Marie's palliative team Amy, Rita, Dierdre and Pam for their kindness and assistance in allowing Marie to die at home on "the Land" which she loved.