Remembering Marion Morgan

Marion Morgan

1934-2011

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our dear friend Marion Morgan who died on Nov.22^nd, 2011. She was a generous hearted woman who always had a smile, a cheery disposition and a kind word, and was always thinking of others.

Marion established the Janet and Marion Morgan Environmental Fund in 2006 with a wish to honour her mother Janet,…whom she told me taught her so much about the value of a ‘penny saved’. Through this Fund Marion supports charities that work in support of the environment and animal/wildlife protection.  Organizations like the David Suzuki Foundation (she went to the same school as David by the way!), Ecojustice Canada (formerly Sierra Legal), Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and Animal Aide of St. Thomas will continue to benefit from her annual granting. As an Endowment Fund, it will continue to grant to her favourite charities into perpetuity, celebrating her life, her legacy of kindness and generosity and her wish for a healthy environment.

Marion,…..it is a true honour to have known you and to manage this legacy on your behalf.

 Marion visiting Animal Aide

Obituary from London Free Press

MORGAN, Marion – With deep feeling of sorrow, we said goodbye to Marion Morgan on November 22, 2011 at the age of 77. Marion was a devoted employee of 3M until her retirement. She enjoyed gardening, travelling and caring for her pets. Marion was a person that felt, if you want to live in a community, you have to give something back. She did this by volunteering in many organizations as well as having positive actions and a positive attitude. As per Marion’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Janet & Marion Morgan Environmental Fund – established to support environmental, animal welfare and wildlife protection agencies.

$100,000 Gift–Extraordinary Generosity Celebrated!

 Ralph and Noreen Counsell

The late Ralph Counsell was a quiet man. An extraordinarily generous….and quiet man.

“Though he was a generous annual donor and supporter of the Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation, we did not know Mr. Counsell had been so thoughtful and generous in his will” says Executive Director Karen Laine when learning of the $100,000.00 gift Ralph Counsell bequeathed to the Community Foundation. “I know there are many local charities who have received generous gifts from Mr. Counsell estate, and we are grateful and honoured to be one of them.”

Born in Windsor Ontario in 1923, his father died when he was 19 years old. His mother held the family together, and he and his brother Harry helped to raise their younger sister Irene and took on the duties of the ‘men of the house’ at that young age.

Ralph thought himself a lucky man,…he found and married the love of his life Noreen . “I’ve never seen such a loving couple as those two” says friend Mara Prskalo.

Ralph worked at Fearn Ford, and later at the Licence Bureau. Noreen worked for Bell Canada in Aylmer and as a probation officer for Corrections- a job she enjoyed for being able to make a difference in the lives of the young people she worked with.

After retirement they enjoyed winters in Florida until Noreen’s health made that difficult in 2002. They had a special love of the local parks, and the local wildlife,…often collecting food for the racoons, regularly fed the birds and geese and resident deer in the winter….always thinking of their furry or feathered friends. Ralph and Noreen were also regular charter members of the Tim Horton’s coffee club, and joined many friends there for a daily visit. That is where they met Mara and Ilija Prskalo who quickly became like family to them.

Ralph and Noreen gave back to the community in many ways. Noreen’s favourite charity was the Ronald McDonald House for the special way they support children and families, and Ralph was an active member of the Masonic Lodge 3302 and the HIRo Shrine Club.

“They were hard working, loving and caring,…and did not waste anything” says Mara Prskalo. “I know it broke Ralph’s heart when Noreen died in 2005. I miss them a lot….”

Ralph died peacefully on June 09^th, 2010, in his 87^th year.

The Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation is very grateful for this extraordinary gift and special legacy from Ralph and Noreen Counsell. It will benefit the charities of Elgin County into perpetuity.