Dr. Marvin Olson was born May 5, 1931, on a farm near Tribune, Sask., to Adolph and Myrtle Olson. He died on March 2, 2024. He is survived by his two children, Carol Olson of Etobicoke, Ont., and David Olson (Rick McCarty) of Exeter, Ont., and his brother, Robert (BettyLou) of Estevan, Sask. Predeceased by his wife, Marilyn (Bennett) Olson, as well as his sister Irene (Kerry) Moffatt of Saskatoon; sister Margaret (Dr. William) Allen of Athens, Ohio; brother, Allen, 10; and sister, Beryl, 1.
Marvin graduated from Weyburn Collegiate Institute in 1948 and obtained an arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1951. He went on to earn his M.D. and C.M. degrees from Queen's University medical school in Kingston, Ont., graduating in the class of 1956.
Following an internship at the Hamilton General Hospital, Marvin married Marilyn, a registered nurse at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Together, they moved to Ennisclare Drive in the beautiful town of Oakville, Ont., where Marvin established his medical practice. He was on staff at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital for 40 years.
Marvin had many and varied interests. He loved gardening, travelling, skiing and photography. He called the cottage "The Homestead" and displayed in it his collection of early Canadian farm memorabilia. Marvin was actively involved in church activities, and went on numerous short-term medical missions worldwide. For his service with the St. John Ambulance Order of Jerusalem, he was made a commanding officer by Governor General Georges Vanier.
Marvin valued time spent with family and friends more than anything, and he was known and loved for his hospitality, generosity and humour. After he retired in 1997, Marvin had the time to develop his love of art, especially watercolour painting. He organized art classes at the condo where he lived for 23 years.
In 2017, Marvin and Marilyn moved to Delmanor Glen Abbey retirement residence. They made new friendships and Marvin was able to continue painting and participating in the activities he enjoyed with others. He painted his last painting in late February.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kerr Street Mission in Oakville (Charitable Reg. No. 897106845RR0001). Online condolences may be offered at Oakview Funeral Home.