June 21, 1935 – September 10, 2023
at the age of 88 years:
Celebration of Life: Saturday, October 14, 2023, 2:00 pm, Fischer’s Funeral Services
With sadness we share news of the peaceful passing of Marian Ruth Schalm (née Valleau), 88, on Sunday, September 10th, 2023, in Salmon Arm, BC. Marian is predeceased by her husband Henry Schalm. She is survived by her son Warren Schalm (Terry), daughter Wanda Schalm (Al), and three grandchildren, Philip (Keltie), Rachel (Chris) and Trajen (Celia). She is also survived by three great grandchildren, Theo, Arietty and Poppy. A fourth great grandchild is due next February. She is remembered fondly by her brother Allen, sisters Jean, Myrna and Hazel, and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.
Born and raised in Wainwright, AB, as a teenager Marian was an avid softball player and a budding entrepreneur who owned and operated her own car wash. She loved cars and trucks and was one of the first people to own a Studebaker in the Wainwright area. In addition to her roles of wife and mother, she worked as a telephone operator, school bus driver, and taxi driver. Yellow Cab car 55, owned and operated by Marian, was a fixture of the Kamloops Yellow Cab fleet for almost 24 years, and she had many regular customers. Taxi driving is something she truly loved.
Marian met her husband Henry through a mutual acquaintance while she was attending Bible School in Edmonton and they were married a year later in October 1958. They lived in North Vancouver, BC, Squamish, BC, Wainwright, AB, Pemberton, BC, and Houston, BC, before settling permanently in Salmon Arm, BC in 1963.
Until loss of vision forced her to stop driving, Marian loved being behind the wheel. A passion she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She could have a heavy right foot, which didn’t always go unnoticed by the police, but had an excellent driving record given the millions of miles she doubtlessly wracked up. She hated flying, but this didn’t stop her from seeing much of Canada and the US through her car window, with Henry, and sometimes grandchildren, in tow.
Marian had a special talent for finding quirky and interesting toys that never failed to captivate and amuse her grandchildren. Meals in restaurants could be long, but she always had something new and interesting to pull out of her vest pocket or trademark plastic bag. Visits with grandma were always highly anticipated and, between visits, postcards, letters and packages, plastered with stickers and tape, arrived on an almost weekly basis. She played a mean game of crokinole and never ceased to keep her grandchildren entertained and challenged.
Those who knew her well will remember Marian as a unique and deeply spiritual person who lived life her own way. Although she avoided the limelight, she loved being with other people and always took a genuine interest in their lives. She is and will continue to be missed by all those who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Red Cross in her honour.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 14th, at Fischer’s Funeral Home in Salmon Arm, BC.
Oh how we loved this beloved Auntie. It was always an adventure spending time with her. Her nieces and nephews were also in awe of her “goodie bag”. Precious were the times I was able to be with her. I will cherish our visits. Never a dull moment and so many laughs. I feel very blessed to have had her in my life.