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Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant. 

We give thanks for our sister, Mari Anne Brown, Deacon, and are grateful for her ministry. 

We have only recent learned that Mari died on 16 September 2023 as the result of vascular dementia which over the past few years had caused several strokes.    She is survived by her children, James van Oort, Richard van Oort, Harry van Oort, Anneke van Oort, Yvonne van Oort, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.    

Mari was an active layperson at Christ Church Cathedral from 1996 to 2002.  She had a particular interest in justice concerns, pastoral care (particularly palliative care), worship leadership, and singing. 

In 2002 she became a member of St Augustine, Marpole, and pursued her call to the diaconate.  She completed the required course of study and field work at the Vancouver School of Theology and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Michael Ingham on 27 June 2004.  She was then licensed as Deacon at St Augustine, Marpole. 

Mari retired on 31 December 2006 and returned to her “homeland” in the Cowichan Valley of Vancouver Island. 

Her obituary in the Cowichan Valley Citizen noted that Mari made many wonderful friends through her church, a theatre group, and a bird club.  She was an avid traveller who loved being in nature.  Her family knew her as someone who enjoyed life to the fullest, often with a cheerful song. Her family, and her partner Mike, cared for her in her illness. 

 

Mari’s funeral was on Saturday, 7 October 2023 at Sylvan United Church, Mill Bay. 

 

Please remember our sister Mari, in your prayers and at the altar.