Saying farewell to a committed Proud Victim

This weekend we said goodbye to our friend of 9 years - Marlies (better known as the "Telus Queen). Marlies is moving back to the Netherlands and we will miss her.

We met Marlies in 2003, under the clippers at our first Massacre held at Canada Post. Gord had approached her husband who shared this event with his wife who was battling her own illness (Lupus) and experiencing her own hairless. Coupled with her deep love for children, shaving seemed to be a perfect fit.

In the following years Marlies returned with a new title "the Telus Queen", complete with a crown and banner. Her boss accompanied her a couple of times (with a nice juicy cheque) taking the honour of assisting with the shave. Typically Kali would assist with the others as this was a special thing between those two.

Marlies developed a deep fondness for the event, particularly for Miss Kali.

In 2004, I invited Marlies to volunteer for our support group "Families Helping Families" - a monthly fun gathering for fellow cancer families ran by myself and girlfriend Carol.

Marlies loved being surrounded by these kids as she did not have any of her own to care for.

Every month Marlies would return to us at the City Arts Center (where we hosted FHF) and every year she'd find her yearly haircut under the clippers.

In 2007 Marlies hooked up with "Spanky" and joined our event as the first registered duo.

This became the catalyst for implementing teams and canines into our blossoming event.

Marlies concealed Spanky under a blanket in a baby carriage and discreatly wheeled him down past the HMV stage to the cutting area where my daughter Meagan met them both with the shears. A mixture of Marlies hair and grey tufts of fur (off the top of Spankys head) left evidence of what I would encourage for years to follow.

The following year we had registered teams, 3 pink standard poodles (including FRED), a pink bichon, a retriever and a bulldog.

Now rethinking the dog thing at WEM (as this has now caused a few glitches that I did not foresee), I am grateful for Marlies's innovative ideas.

Spanky prompted my invitation of Beamer and Paladin which prompted me to acquire a F.R.E.D. which prompted General (our pink horse), and so forth.

Perhaps this may eventually lead to a "Fur Massacure" .... who know?

Best of luck on your travels Marlies and thank you for your heart.

You will be hugely missed.