Obituary of Marina Clemens

Marina Clemens (Kelly)

Marina Clemens (Kelly), 81, of Windsor, Ontario passed away on May 5th of heart failure at Windsor-Essex Hospice. Marina was born on February 6, 1943 in Glasgow, Scotland to William and Alice Kelly. They emigrated to Canada after World War II. She began her professional life as an X-ray technician, where she met Diane LaBute, who would be her best friend for more than 50 years. Her commitment to her faith and a yearning to make the world a better place led her to co-found Drouillard Place, a community centre dedicated to improving the lives of those in the Drouillard area. For her contributions to the community, Marina was twice recognized by the Government of Canada receiving the 1992 Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada and in 2013 for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Assumption University in 2009 for her work at Drouillard Place and social housing in the community. She retired from Drouillard Place after almost 40 years of leadership to become the full-time caregiver of her husband and true love of more than 50 years, Walter Clemens. In honour of her contributions to the Drouillard community, a section of the street was renamed Marina Clemens Way. Marina and Walter were married in 1970 and had two children, Jason (1970) (wife Kim) and Erin (1976) (husband Dan), and two grandchildren, Erin (2003) and William (2005). Marina was surrounded by her family and loved ones in her final moments, including her two sisters, Pauline (husband Robert) and Carol (husband Henry), Diane and Lisa Labute, her children and grandchildren.

A Memorial Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Most Precious Blood Church (1947 Meldrum Rd) from 9:30am until the time of Funeral Mass at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking people to make donations to Drouillard Place and/or Windsor-Essex Hospice in recognition of the extraordinary care and compassion shown to Marina and the family during her last weeks. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared at windsorchapel.com