the end of the SNL season we caught up with her as she was presented with a Boston Bruins quilt by Zack Skjaveland (left) and Ed Becker as a token of appreciation for her help with the league.
In early December, Marion Olan’s passing was felt across the community. A celebration of her life was held at the CMCC, one of the few local venues that could accommodate the crowd. It was a fitting location for a party in her honor, as many men, young and old, have seen first-hand her dedication to local hockey as the organizer of the Sunday Night League for over 50 years. She set the schedules, recorded the stats, managed the finances and kept the players’ language and behaviour somewhat civilized. They wanted to live up to her unspoken but well understood standards and make her proud of them as people; hockey was just her way to connect. Marion earned their respect with her quiet smile and unwavering commitment to SNL members and to the community at large.
On Sunday evenings during the hockey season, Marion could be found in the warm section of the old arena with her notebook and pencil, collecting the evidence of which player would earn the coveted highest scoring trophy each year. In the early days, she also organized Christmas parties for the families and an awards banquet at the end of the season.
Marion’s public service was not limited to the hockey rink; she was also an active volunteer at the4th Line Theatre, doing whatever needed doing, from graciously welcoming patrons to helping to clean up after their departure. Marion was modest, pragmatic and down to earth. Her generosity was unwavering as she consistently found ways to quietly step in to make things better.
It is said that you get more attention with a whisper than a shout. Marion used her whispers to do good in this world. She was a role model for all of us. Thank you, Marion.