February 1, 2021
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Marlene Hoover on February 1, 2021. Marlene left us after a brief and intense battle with cancer in her 65th year.
She was predeceased by her father, Russ Hoover, in 1984; brother Barry Hoover in 2001; and brother Brian Hoover in 2009. Marlene is survived by her mother Kathleen Hoover, brother Allen (Wendy) Hoover of Terrace, B.C., brother Ron (Pou) Hoover of Thailand, and an extended list of nephews, nieces, and great nieces.
Born in Kitimat, B.C. to Russ and Kathleen Hoover, Marlene was destined for adventure and world travel. Upon her completion of her Nursing Diploma in 1978, Marlene commenced her 40+ year journey of various nursing experiences where she always welcomed challenges and adversity. Between her adventures outside of, and within other areas of Canada, Marlene would always return to nurse within the lower mainland area to be near family.
Her first nursing stop was in Florida where she obtained her critical care experience. In 1981, Marlene returned to Canada to work at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver in the Open-Heart Surgery/Intensive Care Unit. Her next move was bold. She became the seventh Canadian nurse accepted on a large international team to open a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
Once again, returning to the lower mainland, Marlene assisted in opening the Bridge Community Health Clinic for marginalized immigrants. Nine years later, she
discovered a great ambition and interest in working with the First Nation Community.
This interest took her to rural and remote nursing stations in the northern areas in Ontario, Manitoba, Yukon and B.C. as community health nurse. Marlene eventually accepted a full-time position in Winnipeg with Health Canada as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Communicable Diseases.
In 2011, Marlene found herself back in the Vancouver area where she continued to advocate for the First Nation Health Care within Health Canada. In 2013, when programs and services transferred from Health Canada to FNHA, Marlene transferred to FNHA as Director of Nursing for British Columbia.
Then, in 2018, Marlene retired with the hopes of spending more time with her family and carrying on with adventure travels. Throughout her travels Marlene made life-time friendships that carried through to the end of her life.
She was well respected by her peers and the communities that she worked with. Marlene was a dedicated teacher/mentor as she strongly believed in life-long learning.
It was Marlene's wishes to have her cremated remains returned to Kitimat. Due to COVID, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the B.C. Cancer Agency http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/donate