Marley Burden

Marley Burden (nee Betty Marlene Smith) was born June 27, 1943, to Betty & Clare Smith and big sister, Loralee, of Toronto, Ontario.   She came to BC in 1964 to complete her Education degree at UBC, and met the love of her life, George.  They married in 1966, lived in Kitimat for their first year of teaching, settled in White Rock where they raised their family, and then moved to Cloverdale in 1993.  

Marley was a beloved elementary school teacher, both classroom and music, retiring in 2004.  She was on staff at Carillon Music for a time, and taught private music lessons from her home, right up until April 2023.

Marley was very involved in the music ministry of her local church, both in White Rock and Cloverdale, playing piano, organ, and keyboard, singing, and conducting children’s and adults’ choirs.  She sang with the Lyric Singers and Trinity Western University’s Masterworks Choir for many years.  

Marley loved people and prioritized her family and friends, seeing everything she did as an opportunity to connect and build relationships.  She delighted in having guests to their home, or planning outings and activities - her calendar was always full.  

Marley lived life to the full, despite facing multiple health challenges over the past 12 years.  When recurrent cancer was discovered on May 31, she bravely faced her treatments options, but wouldn’t let this keep her from celebrating her birthday.  The extended family gathered for a wonderful time together, creating memories which will be treasured always.  After hearing that her June 28 surgery was a success, Marley suffered a series of postoperative complications which proved insurmountable.  On July 16, 2023, Marley passed away at Royal Columbian Hospital, her devoted husband, George, and daughter, Taralyn, by her side. 

Marley was predeceased by her sister, Loralee Monro, who passed away July 3, 2023.  

Marley will be dearly missed by her husband, George, her children Sher (Jim) Wetzel, Taralyn Hardy, and Brent (Priscilla) Burden; her grandchildren Daniel (Kairi) Poznekoff, Tiana (Nick) Aschenbrenner, Dylan Johnson, Ben (Jett) Labrash, and Isaiah Hardy, and her great-grandchildren Alexei & Elena Poznekoff and Silas & Oliver Aschenbrenner. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday August 23, 2023, at 1:30 PM at Cloverdale Baptist Church, 18685 64 Ave., Surrey, BC. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, in Marley’s name.