Marvyn (Brown) Robertson

Marvyn Robertson

Edna Marvyn Robertson (nee Brown, and for nine years Howden) of Pierson, MB. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at the Rivers Rehabilitation Centre, Rivers, MB.

Marvyn was born in Brandon, MB. on July 20, 1938, the only living child of George and Hazel Brown (nee Miller of Pierson). Her parents had two previous children, who died shortly after birth. Marvyn, a country girl, did many things to entertain herself on the farm. She learned to grow a garden starting at age 3 (6 1/2 by 2 ½ ft) and every year it grew until it was bigger than her mother’s at age 10. She still had a garden, smaller than in previous years, but it was something she loved to do. Marvyn learned to drive a team of horses and used to help her dad rake hay. She learned to run the Cockshutt 30 tractor at age 10 which she used to pull her dad out of many mud holes and she cultivated several fields with it. She attended Pierson School through grade 11 while she helped her dad for a year and taught for her mother when she broke her ankle. She went back to school and took her grade 12. After taking two grade 12 English courses in Winnipeg, she went to teacher’s training for a year in Brandon. She taught at a one-room country school with eight children in five classes: 1,2,3,5, and 7. A highlight of her year was planning and holding a Christmas concert.

She married Gordon Howden of Waskada on October 8, 1960. They lived on the Howden homestead for nine years and three days when Gordon died of cancer on October 11, 1969. They had four children: George, Marjorie, and Evelyn and a baby boy named Kenneth Gordon who was born on March 4th and died on the 5th. Marvyn moved to Pierson to be closer to her parents on June 26, 1970 and still lived in the home that she bought in November of 1969. Marvyn married Neil Robertson of Gainsborough, SK. on July 10, 1971. They continued to live in Pierson and farmed at Gainsborough. Neil passed away in 1995 at the age of 57.

Marvyn’s kitchen table was the place to gather on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. She loved spending time with her friends, sharing stories, canning and laughing. Marvyn’s children and her friend’s children were always welcome to join the fun. Marvyn worked hard on the farm, in her garden, selling jewelry and volunteering countless hours for her community. Marvyn loved to tell the stories from her childhood, and early years as a mother, and talked to strangers just to become fast friends. She had an amazing memory.

Marvyn raised chickens, milked cows and built up a large herd of cattle. She helped on the farm sorting cattle, driving the baler and combine for many years. And the past 13 years she had boarders at her home that she loved to take care of. She also enjoyed making meals for her family and friends. One of her favorite things to do was playing cribbage. Even over the past months a crib game would lighten her spirits and help her sleep at night.

Marvyn spent her adult life caring for, encouraging, and loving her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her friends.

Marvyn was predeceased by her parents, George and Hazel Brown; infant siblings, Alton Irvine and Almira; her husband, Gordon Howden; infant son, Kenneth Gordon Howden; husband, Neil Robertson; granddaughter, Kara Smith. She was also predeceased by numerous in-laws and many many friends.

She is survived by her son, George Howden (Maria), granddaughter, Krystyn (Scott Gillies) and great-grandchildren, Jolene and Levi; grandson, Gordie Howden (Liza) great-granddaughter, Brooklynn, great-grandsons, Colter and Cooper; daughter, Marjorie (Neil Holmes) and granddaughters, Jenna Halliday, Stephanie Halliday, Brittanie (Scott Manson), great-grandsons, Luka and Solomon; and granddaughter; Meagan Holmes; daughter, Evelyn (Matthew Smith) grandson, Wes Smith (Rachelle) and great-granddaughters, Madison, Callie and Alexandra Smith; grandson, Connor; sister-in-law, Helen Howden and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A special thanks to the nurses and doctors who cared for mom for the past three months in Oxbow, Regina, Melita, Reston, Virden and Rivers.

A celebration of Marvyn’s life was held at the Pierson Community Hall, Pierson, MB. on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Paul Kimball officiating. A private family interment took place at the Waskada Cemetery before the service.

Donations can be directed to Pierson Rec Rejuv c/o Munc. of Two Borders, Box 100, Pierson, MB. R0M 1S0 (add Rec Rejuv in the memo). The Munc. of Two Borders will issue tax receipts (over $25) if cheques are made out to Munc. of Two Borders. Etransfers to (info@twoborders.ca) please add your address and a reference to Rec Rejuv in the memo. Donations can also be directed to the Turtle Mountain Bible Camp, Box 1198, Boissevain, MB. R0K 0E0.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Marvyn (Brown) Robertson, please visit our Tree Store.