Marina died at Sunridge Place in Duncan after several years of decline due to vascular dementia. She leaves; her daughters, Dawn Clemens (Dennis), Natalie Gabinet (John Busby), Terri Stanko (Don McGillivray); sons, Kim Jacobsen, Jon Woodland (Tracey); sister Norma Laidlaw (John); sister in law Mary Karliner; brother in law Edward Stanko (Anita); plus 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husbands, Ib Jacobsen (in 1959) and Tom Stanko (in 2015).
Marina Stanko (nee Hendrickson) was born in Rainy River ON and grew up in Vancouver BC. In 1956 she married Ib Jacobsen and they moved to Texada Island where they had Dawn and Kim.
After suddenly losing Ib to cancer, Marina moved to Lillooet BC in 1960, where she met and married fellow teacher Tom Stanko. They moved the family to Revelstoke and had Natalie, Theresa, and Jon. In 1964 Marina and her family settled in the Cowichan Valley.
Tom taught at Mt. Prevost School. Marina stayed home the first year with their five children and then taught 2 years at Sahtlam School to acquire her permanent teaching certificate. When all kids were in school, Marina went back to teaching; first at Gibbons Rd. School, then at Alexander. She later earned her teaching degree from UVic. She retired in 1995.
She volunteered and gave generously to many charitable organizations. Marina and Tom were active members of the Kinette and Kinsmen Clubs of Duncan most of their lives. Marina volunteered with the executive of Cowichan Valley Special Olympics.
In 1992 she joined the board of the Cowichan Valley Association for Community Living (now the Clements Centre Society) and served 10 years as president. She also gave to and was a season ticket holder with the Chemainus Theatre.
Marina was a humble person who always helped others. Over the years, she demonstrated her care and compassion with participants of the programs and organizations she worked for. In 2016 Marina was awarded The Scroll of Honour from the City of Duncan, in recognition of her service to the community.
Due to COVID 19, a public memorial service is not being held at this time. Donations in Marina's memory may be made to the Clements Centre Society or to a charity of your choice."
Online condolences may be made at www.hwwallacecbc.com
H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre