A commemoration for Marmie Hess

Posted by Dionysius David on Sep 20, 2016
 

A commemoration for Marmie Hess

 
To my fellow Rotarians,
 
I would like to begin by sharing a letter written regarding the loss of a
our fellow Rotarian, Dr Marmie Hess. I believe it captures the essence of this truly inspiring
Pioneer.
 

“Dear Colleagues,
I am saddened to report that our good friend Dr. Margaret (Marmie) Perkins Hess passed away
peacefully on Friday, September 2nd. During her remarkable career, Dr. Hess was a noted scholar,
teacher, collector and philanthropist who was particularly dedicated to the advancement of
students and to lifelong learning. She was a great champion of Western Canadian values and
ideas with a strong interest in the environment and the North. I draw your attention to the story in
UToday that outlines her numerous achievements and note that, in her honour, the campus flag
has been lowered to half-mast.

She will be dearly missed but not forgotten.
Sincerely,
Tom
H. Thomas Hickerson
Vice Provost (Libraries and Cultural Resources) and University Librarian”
 

Dr Marmie Hess was a true “Renaissance Woman.” Her talents ranged from being a successful
Rancher, Community Leader and Mentor, to staunch advocate of the Arts. Her passion for
education and appreciation of creativity was reflected in the numerous Scholarships she
founded, the establishment of the Calgary Galleries Ltd and Establishment of the Arctic Institute
of North America-University of Calgary. Her numerous Awards include (source Globe and Mail):

1. Officer of the Order of Canada
2. Alberta Order of Excellence, the Alberta Centennial Medal, the Confederation Medal
3. Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal,
4. The Northern Territories Commissioner's Award,
5. The National Museum of Man Appreciation Award and the
6. Pioneer Woman Na'Amat of Canada Award
7. The Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Calgary,
8. The Paul Harris Rotary Award
9. The YWCA Woman of Distinction
10. First woman to be recognized with the Calgary Stampede's Western Legacy Award for
Sustained Contribution.

Community Service was another passion for Dr Hess. She was involved in a variety of
organizations including the Calgary Regional Arts Foundation, the RCMP Committee for the
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program and was the President of the Calgary Zoo.
Dr Hess was truly a living example of a Rotarian who lived their life according to the 4 way test:
  • Is it the TRUTH?
  • Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  • Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  • Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
The life that Dr Marmie Hess has lived in 100 years is a tribute to the contribution an individual
can make to humanity. This is represented by this inspiring quote:
'Life is a long ride and when we come to the end of it, if we look back and can truthfully say -
thank God I rode straight, with my hands and heels down, and my head and heart up - it matters
not how tough the going or how stiff the jump, you will come out on top and realize you are a
horsewoman of the highest standards.’- Dr Marmie Hess

More information on the life of this truly Remarkable Albertan:

Dr Marmie Hess was the Living Definition of a True Humanitarian and will be sorely missed by
all.