Nick and Marilyn (née Mann) were married in Clearbrook, BC on October 1, 1955. From 1959 –1963 they owned and operated North Shore Blasting. Nick had learned the trade while working for the previous owner. During this time, three daughters were born – Judy, Sandra, and Dianne.

Marilyn and Nick wanted to raise their family in amore rural, small-town setting. After exploring several options, the family arrived in Sicamous in 1964. They purchased a Tastee Freez franchise, built the drive-in restaurant, and Marilyn managed the business while Nick went to work for BC Hydro as a General Tradesman, retiring in 1997. They sold the franchise in 1970, at which point Marilyn retired for the first time.

In 1980 Marilyn went back to school, first at Okanagan College in Salmon Arm, then on to the University of Victoria where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Upon graduating she was hired by Shuswap Home Support Services as well as taking up a position as a counselor with Salmon Arm Family Emergency Society. Marilyn became the first social worker to be hired by School District #89, working at Parkview Elementary for three years. She finished her career working for the BC Ministry of Health as the Coordinator of mental health services for the elderly, re-retiring in 1999.

Both Nick and Marilyn were active as volunteers in their chosen community. In the days before the District of Sicamous was incorporated, Marilyn sat on the Sicamous Water Board and served as a SD #89 school trustee. After incorporation in 1989 she was elected as a councillor. She also served as a director on the board of the Sicamous Housing Society.

Shortly after the creation of Shuswap Community Foundation Marilyn joined the board as the representative from Sicamous, and sat on the board again from 2007 until 2010.

Nick belonged to the Kinsmen Club and then the Lions Club. He was most proud of his tenure with the Restorative Justice for Youth program as a community volunteer. Restorative justice involves bringing together the victim, offender, and some members of the community to discuss the effects of the crime and assist in efforts to help re-establish youthful offenders into the community. Marilyn recalls getting a phone call shortly after Nick’s death from a young man who wanted to thank Nick for the assistance he had received from him, enabling him to accept a job in Alberta. There was standing room only in the Salmar Classic Theatre for Nick’s Celebration of Life, a clear testament to the esteem in which he was held by the Shuswap community.

Anything going in the way of sports was also enjoyed by both Nick and Marilyn. Softball, curling, bowling, you name it, they were in. Marilyn is still a dragon boater.

Nick died in 2006, and Marilyn, in consultation with her daughters, wanted to create a legacy of their lives in the Shuswap. While working at the women’s shelter she learned that many women faced financial inequities that created a barrier to furthering their education, which would allow them to become financially stable in the future. She had been able to pursue her educational goals with Nick’s support and she knows he would approve of her decision to create an open endowment with the purpose of providing financial assistance to a woman from the Shuswap intending to re-enter the educational mainstream.

A recent recipient of the award from the endowment wrote: Starting over at 58 years of age is exciting and rewarding, and scary. I am excited to start a new life, and I am proof you can start at any age. Your generosity and acknowledgement for people going back to school after they have been out for a while is recognized to me as a beautiful gift.

The field of study is not restricted, but the recipient must be enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution to undertake academic or technical studies or training in the trades or creative arts provided that the studies will lead to earning a recognised certification.

The fund is open to contributions.