Malusha Marie Charles passed, or as she referred to it, “Graduated”, on her terms after over four years of living with pancreatic cancer on October 23rd, 2022, surrounded by her loving family at her lake home in Bobcaygeon.

Marie was born on February 9th 1960, in Nairobi, Kenya, to Pio and Emma Gama-Pinto (Dias). She immigrated to Canada in April of 1967, landing in Montreal, before settling in Toronto shortly thereafter where she grew up alongside her two sisters under the care of her mother, Emma, and her beloved grandmother, Mummagrand (Linda). Marie earned her Bachelors of Science degree at the University of Toronto, where she met her husband and life partner Andy, later earning her Masters in Speech and Language Pathology at the State University of New York. She pursued a career in Speech Pathology at the Durham District School Board as well as the Toronto District School Board, making many lifelong friends along the way.

Not one to sit idle, Marie planned our family’s projects from renovations, to moves, and our much celebrated annual vacations. Her last project was planning her Celebration of Life, this November 4th 2022.

With a smile and energy that could light up the universe, her cup was always full. Always one for adventure, Marie made it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in her 50’s, swam with sharks in the Caribbean, as well as skied the slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, Alberta, and British Columbia. Later in life, she developed a passion for golf in which she naturally excelled. As a tribute to her zest for life and golf, Marie’s home course, Eganridge, planted a beautiful red maple tree in her honour. Marie and her family were touched to participate in the planting ceremony the day she “graduated”.

Marie is remembered by her loving husband, Andy, her children, Brenna (Andrew), Victoria (Adam), and Mitchell (Michelle), sisters, Linda (Leo) & Tereshka (Jocelyne), as well as grandson Archer.

Marie described her life as being an ice cream sundae with chocolate sprinkles and a cherry on top. Our memories with her will be cherished forever.

A celebration of Marie’s life will be held on November 4th, 2022 at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre. Details of the celebration can be found below. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood to the Canadian Blood Services in Marie's honour.