KEITH-MURRAY, Marnie (formerly TUFTS) (1937-2023)
colinp
MARNIE KEITH-MURRAY Obituary
KEITH-MURRAY, MARNIE Marnie Keith-Murray, adventurer, entrepreneur, networker, advocate, and sailor, made her exit on March 21, 2023. Born in Bath, England, August 20, 1937, to David and Nancy Keith-Murray (nee Gautschi). Sister to Peter and Mark, mother to daughter, Andrea (deceased); and sons, Paul (Trish) and Colin (Cassandra). She leaves her beloved grandson and roomie, Ty, and her travelling grandchildren, Ashton, Natalie and Devin. Marnie moved from England in 1945, aged 8, to Vancouver, acquiring a lifelong love of the sea. Schooled in North Vancouver and at The University of British Columbia in Physical Education, she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, and was commissioned in 1958. Her postings took her to Yukon and Winnipeg, where she married and was transferred to France, living in nearby Virton, Belgium. Andrea and Paul were born there and Colin in Nova Scotia, where she taught PE. Transferred in 1968 to Moosonee, Marnie was Town Recreation Director. She enjoyed snowmobiling, snowshoeing, crossing frozen rivers in the dark, and travels around Hudson Bay. Next transfer was Trenton, ON, teaching at Bayside SS, travelling on weekends to work with the Canadian Red Cross Water Safety program as an examiner. In 1976, the Red Cross lured her to Toronto as full-time Director of Youth. After 6 years in executive search, Marnie launched her own executive search firm in 1987. Marnie was instrumental in shaping women's networking in Toronto. She ran networking nights, coordinated with other groups and published a national directory of women's networks. She was an active member of the McGill and Elmwood Clubs. She loved Lake Ontario and joined local sailing clubs. After spying the beautiful clubhouse of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, she joined in 1993. Not interested in racing on other's boats, she bought Capilano, her 8.7-metre sailboat. She sailed solo all around Lake Ontario, leading to 26 years of fun, adventure, groundings, meeting rocks, lightning strikes and great friendships. In 2010, she was the first solo sailor to win the Hodder Award and followed with Cruising Squadron Sailor of the Year in 2011. In 2001, she joined her community of friends on her beloved Salt Spring Island in BC. Four years of sailing in the Caribbean and Bahamas intervened and Marnie enjoyed many adventures exploring the ICW and the islands. After volunteering at the Vancouver Olympics, she moved to Paris for four years, summering at RCYC on Capilano. Her beloved daughter, Andrea, died in 2015 and Marnie settled into a new life as resident Nana to 12-year-old, Ty. A wonderful seven years on the Danforth, with a teenager who sailed, the best little dog in the world and family close by, came to an end when ALS appeared. Through her illness, Marnie brought together her many friends to assist. This was a gift to all as they soon developed a shared bond with one another. Marnie's courage, pragmatism, commitment to fitness, sense of adventure, love of friends, and sheer willpower became an inspiration for many. She added her trademark elixir of champagne to every celebration. She will be greatly missed.
MARNIE KEITH-MURRAY Obituary | 1937 - 2023 | Toronto Star
She was the dau of David Keith MURRAY (1900-1968) scion of the Murray Baronets (NS 1673) being the son of the 10th son of the 7th Bt, and (m 1932) Nancy May GAUTSCHI (d 2008 aged 100). She m 1958 (div 1979 and resumed her maiden name) Maj Douglas Wayne Tufts (1932-2019) and had 2 s and a d
Her former husband's obit here - DOUGLAS TUFTS Obituary (1932 - 2019) - Toronto, ON - Toronto Star
DOUGLAS TUFTS Obituary
TUFTS, MAJOR DOUGLAS WAYNE Retired Loving spouse of Judith Gray, passed away peacefully at the Riverpath Retirement Community in Ottawa on November 18, 2019. Son of the late Harry and Elsie Tufts, Douglas Tufts of Madoc, Ontario, was born on December 8, 1932 and "took his final flight" in his 87th year. Doug is survived by his sons, Colin Tufts (Cassandra Bowers), Toronto; Paul (Patricia) Tufts, Vancouver; his stepdaughters, Christina Amos and Nancy Amos (Delaney Turner), Ottawa; and his grandchildren, Phoebe Tufts, Ashton Tufts and Maia Dyer Amos. Doug was predeceased by his beloved daughter Andrea Tufts and his siblings Bevis ("Bev") Tufts and Shirley Posnikoff. Doug was a civil engineering graduate of Royal Military College (RMC) and had a long career in the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving in both Europe and Canada. Doug finished his career in Ottawa, working in the Public Service of Canada. Upon his retirement, Doug moved back to his roots on the family farm in Madoc where he enjoyed raising cattle [....]
Her daughter Andrea's obit here - ANDREA TUFTS Obituary (2015) - Toronto Star
ANDREA TUFTS Obituary
ANDREA DEE TUFTS April 1, 1959 - April 22, 2015 Ultimate mother to Phoebe, loving daughter of Marnie Keith-Murray and Douglas Tufts (Judi), best sister in the world to Paul (Patricia) and Colin (Cassandra), beloved granddaughter of Nancy Keith- Murray, Saltspring Island, BC and Elsie and Harry Tufts, Madoc, ON (all deceased) and amazing aunt and cousin to Ashton, Natalie, Devin and Judy. Born in France, she faced life with an infectious smile and giggle and had no regrets. She had a lifetime of fun, arts, adventures and education. She was surrounded by a huge circle of friends attracted by her insatiable interest in the world and people. She celebrated the mundane and traditional and was known for her high teas, garden parties and sparklers. She adopted Phoebe in 2004 and never saw the world in the same way again. They formed a loving, unbreakable team that had no limits. Andrea was a graduate of the Universities of Guelph and Dalhousie and held positions as archivist and teacher-librarian at the Royal Ontario Museum, Bishop Strachan School, Carleton Village and Rose Park schools in Toronto [....]