On Monday, October 21^st, 1968, Mrs. R. C. Marshall died suddenly in Vancouver, B.C. where she had resided since 1963.

Thus ended a life of service to City, Province, Country and Empire .... later to become the Commonwealth.

From 1915 to 1919, Daisy Marshall, nee McGregor, who had come from Ottawa, Ontario to the West, covered the Social Life and later the affairs of the City Hall for the two daily newspapers in Calgary.

The Mayor in 1919 was Bob Marshall and these two eligible and clever people were married in the Summer of 1919. Then, no doubt seeking an outlet for her energies, she joined the Tannisuk Chapter of the I.O.D.E., in the Fall of that same year. Tannisuk ... by the way, is an Indian word meaning Daughter. Sometime in 1924 she became Regent of this Chapter but not for long, since the records show that she was elected President of the Provincial Chapter on October 30, 1924.

From the outset, Mrs. Marshall showed marked ability and success, so when in 1927 Mr. Marshall's business interests moved to Edmonton, it was wholeheartedly agreed that Mrs. Marshall continue as President and take the office headquarters to that city. The Provincial Chapter had been organized in 1920 and much had to be done to enlarge the Order in the Province.

The years that followed tell a story of hard work crowned with excellent results, and it should be noted that one of her first moves in Edmonton was to organize the Fort Edmonton Chapter in November 1927. She became the Chapter Regent and held that office for almost 20 years. For 25 years she was a guiding light and inspiration to all members of I.O.D.E.

The story of the Alberta Provincial Chapter is fascinating. In the belief that "without vision the people shall perish" Mrs. Marshall had chapters organized from North to South, East to West ---- in the vast and then sparsely populated areas of the Peace River.  Beaver Lodge, Willow Lodge, Athabasca, Hythe and Fort McMurray Chapters came into being and prospered. Granted, good officers surrounded Mrs. Marshall .... women who were intensely loyal to the Order and their President. They received unlimited scope in their work and her support, was boundless. New ideas were welcomed and for the most part put to work. No personal or Chapter problem was too minor for her attention; she knew her Regents and never forgot a name. In her wisdom she was responsible for many reforms.

She fought, and won, in her plea for adequate Blind pensions. Concerned re the status of young women about to enter the teaching and nursing fields, she encouraged the Provincial Chapter to set up Scholarships which later became "The Marshall Scholarships".

The quality of Radio programmes had caused concern to her for some time. Chapters were invited to assist in an extensive survey which again, met with outstanding success, and with the result that the report was much sought by Radio Executives throughout the country.

During the depression the Order's resources were taxed but under Mrs. Marshall's direction and guidance, Chapters held fast and were able to assist destitute families or wherever the need lay. These were times of anxiety but her faith in Canada and the future that lay somewhere in the years ahead was an inspiration to all members.

Came the Second World War and perhaps Mrs. Marshall had hoped for retirement but she was too valuable to be allowed to leave at this critical point in the history of Canada. Again ... so much to do ... but with patience and methodical effort, and example from the President, the members were encouraged to give their all to the War Effort in the name of the Order. War widows, and fatherless children held a special place in her heart and her compassions were many. Care of veterans' graves, shipments overseas to war torn countries, soldiers parcels, reception of women and children from Britain, camp libraries and entertainment, concerts, gifts for ships at sea .... all of these and more were the priority of Mrs. Marshall.

The war over, new problems and new effort came and received the same whole-hearted support. For her, the job was not yet finished.

In 1946, Alberta became the first Province to become 100% subscribing to Echoes. For some years this National Magazine had also been of concern to the Alberta President. This was a great move for it was agreed on the National level that all Provinces follow Alberta. Again ... it must be recorded that on this same National level, Mrs. Marshall was held in the highest esteem and her utterances and opinions were treated with the utmost respect.

One more achievement stands out ... when she undertook to have the Welfare Department of the Provincial Government, investigated and improved. This proved to be lengthy and complicated, but eventually changes were made in the right direction.

She retired as Alberta President in 1949. However, she had other interests.

A member of All Saints Cathedral in Edmonton, she was a faithful communicant and a strong supporter of the Church. Elizabeth House was proud to receive her as a member of the Board and here too she displayed compassionate interest in the women residents in the "House".

In retrospect, one can look back to the life and times of this remarkable woman, a woman Canadian as the Maple Leaf ... a woman dedicated to leaving this world perhaps some better than she found it. Officers and members will remember her sound judgment. Shock has been registered by her passing for somehow Daisy Marshall seemed timeless. There are those who can say, "she taught me more than the A.B.C.'s of I.O.D.E.

In 1935 a grateful Sovereign conferred upon her Membership in the Order of the British Empire. She held the Girl Guide Thanks Badge and Life Memberships on all four levels of the Order.

National 1930 .... Provincial 1927 .... Edmonton Municipal 1939.... Fort Edmonton 1937.

Long will she be remembered in Alberta ... her name is Legion.

"Well done, good and faithfull servant ... enter into thy rest".

(Signed) Ruby B. Bishop

Mrs. T. Bishop, M.B.E.