With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our much beloved administrative assistant in LMP Pathology, Marie Wilson. She passed away on May 6, 2021, in her 76th year, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Marie served at Princess Margaret Hospital for over 57 years, and was one of the longest serving employees of UHN. In her final role, Marie was the administrative assistant to the UHN Breast Pathology Group, a position she held since 2000, when the TGH Pathology Department temporarily relocated to PM. Prior to that, she served as administrative assistant to the PM Chief of Pathology, Dr. Diponkar Banerjee.
Marie was a dedicated and highly skilled “old school” professional who invariably had a smile on her face and a positive outlook.
She was always willing to lend a helping hand with good humour and a keen, acerbic wit. She was trusted by many in this department to share the solid, common sense advice and perspective that came with her many years of experience and dedicated service to the hospital and its patients.
Although well beyond normal retirement age, and despite her family’s hope for her to retire, Marie still loved coming to work each day at PM/UHN.
Outside of the hospital, she was a dedicated Celebrity Cruise Line patron, and enjoyed going on cruising holidays in the Caribbean with her good friend and PM colleague of over 55 years, Berit Cameron.
Marie is survived by her son Scott, his wife Trish (an RN at UHN), and their children Cheyenne, and Cole.
She will be dearly missed by this institution, and by all who knew and worked with her.
Godspeed, Marie.
Read Marie’s obituary or leave a message for her family.
Members of LMP and UHN share memories of Marie
Beyond her primary responsibilities within the breast pathology group, Marie served a much larger role in the delivery of breast cancer care. It was not a very well-kept secret that Marie knew the answers to most questions about how to get things done, at UHN and within our larger health care system. Over the years, “call Marie” became a catch phrase synonymous with “get it done”, uttered by many a clinician, pathologist and administrator facing a tough problem. Her experience, wherewithal and dedication to healthcare improved the lives of countless number of patients. – Dr. Hal Berman
Each morning I would pass by and ask Marie how she was and she would say , not bad for an old gal…from one old gal to another, she will truly be missed. – Merna Cardoso
To my dearest Friend Marie. For over 55 years you and I travelled and worked together. I was so proud when you asked me to be your son Scott’s Godmother. I am better for knowing you, and better for having met you. May you be as blessed in the next life as I was in this one by knowing you. Thanks for being my best friend. I will continue to miss you and will always hang on to the fond memories we had. – Berit Cameron
I had the pleasure of working with Marie for close to 20 years and am deeply saddened by the news of her passing. Her dedication, positive outlook and ability to engage in friendly banter with all who stopped by her desk will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace. To her family, please accept my sincere condolences. – Dr. Andrew Evans
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Marie for over 20 years. I cannot count the number of times her witty comments have brought a smile to my face or brightened my day. Her cheery disposition and repartee will be missed by all those who knew her. My sympathy goes out to all those who had the pleasure of knowing her and whose lives she has touched. Rest in peace, Marie. – Hung Chow
I was privileged to work closely with Marie in her role as administrative assistant to the UHN Breast Pathology Group for the past 21 years. Marie was a dedicated and skilled professional, but what made her special was her never wavering positivity and infectious good humor. She cared deeply about our patients and it showed in the work she did for us. I will miss her quick wit, and the daily smiles and laughs we had together. Scott, Trish, Cheyenne, and Cole, thankyou for sharing her with us, and please accept our sincere condolences on her passing.
She will be dearly missed. Rest in peace Marie. – Dr. Bruce Youngson
I’m so saddened to hear of Marie’s passing. I didn’t work closely with Marie, but saw her regularly in the mornings either in the hallway or outside of Toronto General Hospital. She always greeted me with a huge smile and warm words. Without really knowing it, she was a bright spot. After 57 years at UHN, I’m am sure she was a ray of sunshine to hundreds of people. She will be deeply missed by her colleagues at UHN’s Lab Medicine Program. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. – Catherine Wang
The Pathology Report 
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