I went through cancer back in 2012, and I promised myself if I made it through I would hold a luau to thank the many people who helped me through. So on June 1st 2013 I did so at the Lochdale Hall in Burnaby. This meant a lot to me and Marji and all the girls from the Spirit Of The South Seas volunteered there time to make this possible. I will not forget that night, and all the support I received from Marji and her group. She was so charitable with her time. RIP t a very special lady. Larry Sewell
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I met Marji nearly twenty years ago after seeing her perform. I joined her class at Braithwaite which was followed by her teaching our seniors "Hula for Health" classes at Silver Harbour. She valiantly taught us even while undergoing several treatments and appointments for her cancer, and never complained. She has left us with a lasting legacy of not only learning Hawaiian dances and enjoying a variety of many performances but also that we became a hula family with the other groups of dancers that she taught. I miss her lovely smile, seeing her love of teaching us and performing along with her kind caring and interest in the lives of us all. I miss seeing her fun, funny and very interesting emails and seasonal cards along with our many conversations, especially when we would go to the White Spot after class. I feel very blessed for having known Marji, she was always an inspiration to me. I am so thankful for all the memories over the years. With Aloha, Mahalo and Love, Rosemary
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Our Sincere Condolences to Derek, Danielle and Family.
Marj taught my grandduaghter, Breanne and |I hula for many years, starting in 1999.
My husband, Don, and I have great memories of vacationing, with Marj, in Hawaii, years ago.
Our family will miss our annual Canada Day Parades, every single year, with Marj and all our hula dancers.
Marj loved talking to me about her grandchildren, Quintin and Violet. She was so prod of them.
Marj always encouragned me about my pancreatic caner...giving me hope to carry on.
I will miss Marj. ...her daily emails, jokes etc. I'm sure Marj will be teaching all the angels in heave, how to dance to “Tiny Bubbles” and “Pearly Shells”.
Rest in Peace Marj....You will be Truly Missed.
Carol, Don & Family.
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I’m so sorry to hear about Marji’s passing. We met when my daughter Heather started dancing with Danni many years ago. When Danni moved back east after university Margi took over the dance classes and was a great dance teacher to me and Heather. Lots of fun and good laughs. Margi was so kind and thoughtful when Heather became sick always offering to include her and make her feel special. So many good memories with Margi, Danni and Derek. Luaus, dance shows, trip to Hawaii and dance competitions. All lovely memories
Hugs to Danni and Derek🤗🤗
From Heather and Shirley
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Im so sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful person. Condolences to you and your family.
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Condolences to you and your family
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Our heartfelt condolences to Marj's family. May you find strength and joy in your beautiful memories. Marj will always be remembered by us with the same kindness and grace she gave to others.
Ua ola nō i ka pane a ke aloha - there is life in a kind reply (Olelo No'eau 2837)
Aloha nō, Marj
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I worked with Marji downtown at BC Tel and we became friends,she was an excellent programmer...and very smart .Our group got created by our commom friend and ex-co-worker the late Steve Gludo.We enjoyed many nites going Cross- country skiing over at Cypress and going for a good dinner always afterwards.It was the same bonding we had when Steve took us all out to concerts with Marji as well over the years.We all had lots of fun together and it was a great bonding of friends and families over the years.I will miss Marji s Hawaii' n dance group perform at various Greek Days. My deepest condolences to Derek and Danielle and all the families.She was a beautiful and wonderful soul.She always shared many emails and pics over the years and was very proud of her grand children and family.I will miss her wonderful laughter and sharing of stories with her at work,and at skiing.God Bless and may you R.I.P. Marji.....you will be sorely missed.
Jatinder (JR)
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I met Marji through my sister Rosemary and saw her many times at seniors Dance class. When Rosemary phoned me with the sad news the first thing I saw in my mind was Marji's smile and her graceful hula hands. My condolences to your family and may you be comforted by the many warm thoughts of those who care.
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My sincerest wishes and love💕🫂🤲
I met Margi through Polynesian Dancing in which I stayed for about a year in at the North Shore rec at age 10. Recently now at age 22, I started contemporary dancing and a lot of contemporary dance includes your previous history with dance. I just recently noticed how much Polynesian dancing, specifically Ori Tahiti has shaped my dance style and how Ori Tahiti has really impacted my life even though it's just dance some will say... I've been thinking about Margi these past few days, thinking about how much she really impacted my life and my dance... The art of storytelling and kindness. To me Polynesian dance feels as if there's a heritage passed down to you through your instructors and their instructors before them. I've been thinking about it a lot lately and I just found out about her passing... I just wanted to say that it saddens me to know that I didn't have the chance to tell her how much she truly meant to me and how much I'm only now realizing she's really impacted me here in the physical realm, but my dad and I really loved her. She was such a resilient little thing, she was always lovely to be around.
I rejoined Polynesian dancing when I was 14 for a few months and she really really wanted to take me out for dinner for my 14th or 15th birthday after a performance haha! Marji gave me a skirt and this grass belt thing that I don't know the name of haha, but just something that I could perform in so I didn't look out of place. And when I left she told me to keep it even though I did not need it technically and I didn't even stay long that time in the troupe. I'm blessed to have had her as my teacher and now I shall dance with the core memory of her and I'll dance for her and her love for Polynesian dancing💕🤲 blessings🫂🌺
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2023, Vancouver Waterfront, Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA, USA
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2023, Vancouver Waterfront, Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA, USA
4
2018, Downtown Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Indigenous Corporate Event
— with
Jenn,
Mila
and Marji
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I first met Marji in 2017 when I attended her free hula lesson at the Parkgate Library on Mt. Seymour Pkwy, N. Van. Because of our love for the Polynesian dance and culture, Marji and I bonded instantly.
My daughter and her partner also have a Polynesian entertainment company so I mainly dance for or with them but occasionally I would guest in Marji’s shows. If her dancers were not available, she would ask me to dance with her. I always said YES as I loved performing with Marji. From community centres and events to seniors’ facilities to birthday celebrations and corporate events, Marji and I danced in tandem to showcase a 20-30 minute show. We always had so much fun!
Marji was not only my hula sister but a beautiful friend inside and out. Because we both lived in the North Shore, we bumped into each other quite a bit at Lynn Valley Centre but we also had our pre-planned coffee dates at Delaney’s, A&W, or at JJ Bean at Park and Tilford. We could spend hours catching up, talking about dance, our kids, and our grandkids. Oh how proud she was of her family! I also learned that her brother, Stephen Ibaraki, was a SuperElite with Air Canada. I am an Air Canada concierge. Our department handles top tier customers’ travel issues so I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ibaraki. Truly a small world!
Marji, I will never forget you. There is a void in my heart. Mahalo nui loa for all the performance opportunities you have given me. Mahalo for your genuine kindness, generosity, compassion, and camaraderie. You inspire me with your resilience and emotional strength. Kuu hoa aloha (My dear friend), I will miss you forever!
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Dear Danielle and Derek,
I was so heart-broken about the news of Marji's passing. I took my first hula class with Marji in May 2023, and I loved it so much. I never wanted the class to end!!She taught us hula with such joy and passion. I will never forget her smile, encouragement and kindness. My deepest condolences to you and your family
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