Marleen Soutar
June 6, 1941 — November 9, 2024
With gratitude for her faithful, generous life, we announce the death of Marleen Anne Soutar, just before 8 pm on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the Laurel Place Hospice. Marleen gave of her time and skill freely to God’s ministry within The United Church of Canada, first at Tsawwassen United Church, where she offered many leadership gifts within the congregation, then as their long-time Presbytery representative, as a member then chair of the Vancouver-South Presbytery Education and Students Committee, and the Chair of Van-South Presbytery itself. Marleen was deeply fulfilled by the decade+ of supporting the discernment of candidates for ministry, and very proud of the group of ministers (including the current Moderator) who moved through her committee’s presence. She was also an accompanier/listener for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission when it was held in Vancouver. As a past volunteer in the Hospice movement, she was a strong supporter of palliative care and hospice work, and knew she would spend her last days in that supportive context.
For the past decade, after a move to South Surrey, Marleen and her partner Rick have worshipped and participated in the life of Crossroads United Church. Marleen has been a thoughtful, fearless and strong member of the Policy Board of Crossroads, and also joined the Social Justice Action Team when it formed during the Covid lockdown. She was faithful in the big things as well as the little ones: setting up book displays, gathering red dresses, engaging in learning, offering a personal reflection about how own family’s colonial past in a Minute for Ministry. She used her body and her voice to be in solidarity with Palestine, with South Asian grandmothers at a Surrey park, walking in the MMIWG marches in downtown Vancouver, and with the 2SLGBTQIA community in Ladner. Marleen leaves a strong legacy of faithful public witness as well as theologically grounded leadership. We will miss her.
Please pray for her partner Rick, her daughter Megan, her brother Glenn and his partner Virginia, as well as Rick’s family as they grieve this loss.
Celebration of the Life of Marleen Soutar
Location: Crossroads United Church
Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid: In-person and online
Reception to follow
Online: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 827 0853 0876
Passcode: 873938
The service will be a hybrid event, both in the sanctuary and via Zoom. Please use the zoom details above to join the service online. The host will open the meeting at 1:45 p.m.
A service to celebrate Marleen’s life will take place at Crossroads United Church on Saturday, November 30th at 2 pm with the Rev. Cari Copeman-Haynes presiding and Dr. Bruce Harding leading music ministry. Following the service there will be a reception for all present to continue their remembrance of Marleen. All are welcome.