Marji was and is my model and hero. The last personal email from her was on 7th November after I was diagnosed that my cancer was back. She encouraged me to face it bravely and comforted me that I would be ok although she was in her critical

I feel so lucky to join Marji's Hula for Health  in 2022~2023 . Marji gave me the opportunities to dance solo which made me confident and dance better. She set up an example how a cancer patient, a widow Live a dignified, meaningful and contributing life.

I will keep doing Volunteer instructor of Hula Along Seniors class in my Neighborhood.

Danielle and Derek,

  Fil and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. I have Worked with, Laughed with, Played with and Cried with her (for many, many, years). She truly cared for the people around her, and it was my honour to have known her! She always had a positive attitude, even when things were at their worst. I will truly miss running into her and chatting it up with her in-and-around North Van (and in our e-mail exchanges). She was also very proud of the two of you, as I can attest to, from the many conversations that we had together where both of you were “center stage”. Not only was she: diligent, intelligent, inquisitive and tenacious in her work, but she was also: kind, friendly, compassionate, and comforting to the people she worked with as well. We got along great from the moment that we met, and I will remember her with a smile on my face and with tears in my eyes!

Please accept our deepest condolences!

Sincerely

David and Fil Cristofanetti

My sincere condolences to Marji’s relatives and friends.

Marji will remain for me a sincere and kind friend as she was in this earthy life. I believe her soul will find its peace and rest in the loving hearts of her family and friends. I saw how very attentive and deeply caring Marji was towards all her friends and students. I admired how easily she could create a community. When I met Marji, she was teaching her dance classes for adults and children at the Mickey McDougall Community Centre. I taught on Sunday mornings and Marji taught right after me in the afternoons. We always had lively conversations for the half hour between each other’s classes. That’s how our friendship started…

Svetlana Ischenko

Dancing Away

(for my friend Marji Wallace)

Time dances in slow-motion around you in the hospice room,

stopping for a sip of water or a teaspoon of ice cream.

Time stretches in the hula waves of caring hands around you,

halts to put a flower in your hair,

or fix a pillow under your head…

Time wakes you, and I am chatting away

of every thought, memory, or bit of news,

feeding you warm soup and chatting away,

and your responses are

as brief and sweet as the last sun rays

of the last evening of the old year.

“That’s wonderful. It’s great. Oh, it’s beautiful…”

Your right hand halted itself on your chest,

and I put mine on yours: “I love you, Marji.”

“I love you, too” -- your forehead, pale

with light from above,

and you smiled.

But time flows on in hula waves,

holding hands with your sister or daughter,

grandchildren or nieces, relatives or friends,

nurses or visitors through the hospice hallways,

sweeping you away in the last dance

to an eternity where each movement, slowed,

is the crest of an ocean wave,

the wings of birds, the tilt of grasses,

your loving heart and dreams,

sunrises and sunsets without pain,

and each movement carries you

with the words of an oli* or mele* into its miracle.

___________________

oli* – in Hawaiian: chant

mele* – in Hawaiian: song

(January 9, 2025)

Aloha'oe, aloha'oe, E ke onaona noho i ka lipo, One fond embrace, Aho'i a'e au, Until we meet again, dear sweet Marj

from Maureen Bell

I pray that your soul may rest in peace.

Hearing the situation, I was hoping you would stay in health as long as possible.

I remember your nice smile with curiosity during your stay in Japan. Please rest well.

I’m sorry to hear of Marj’s passing. I fondly recall her cheerful smile at Derek’s wedding,the hospitality we received in Canada, and our memories together in Tokyo.

I often miss the stew Marj cooked - George’s favorite; we really enjoyed it. Hiking Capilano with her was really lots of fun. we had a good time at Marj’s Polynesian dance class.

I love Marj so much as other people do.

I believe she lived a life loved by many people .

We will all miss her.

From our family to you our sincere condolences

Al Dinis

Marji has been our neighbour and friend for 37 years. She was a petite person who had a giant, positive impact on the many people whose lives she touched.

She cherished her family and I was blessed to have her daughter, Danielle, as our favourite babysitter when my children were growing up.

The strength and courage Marji displayed during her journey with cancer was admirable. There were several times during that journey when she delivered her homemade pea soup to us because she said she had made too much for herself.

Sending our prayers and positive thoughts to her family.

Love, Kathy, Tom, Sandra, Cameron and Nicole

I have a Marji folder on my gmail full of jokes and Words of Wisdom, how will I ever forget her kindness for inviting ne to join her walking group when I told her I don't know anybody as I just moved to North Vancouvet.  Marji turned the Hula for Health into exercise and socializing class, both of which are necessary to reduce the risk of dementia.  Hope Marji have as much fun teaching the angels how to dance the Hula.

Condolences to Danielle, Derek and all of Marji's loved ones.