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Volunteers Make Waves: Marilyn Makes a Difference

April 29, 2025

News

Marilyn Magnan’s enthusiasm and energy just radiates off her.

The devoted mom of five, and grandmother of 11, has spent her entire life on the go. She worked full-time, raised her kids, volunteered at their school and with her church and French community.

Now retired and widowed, Magnan’s life has slowed down — a little.

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“I like to keep busy. I NEED to be busy,” she says. “I like working. I like helping people. I hope to help make something better.”

Magnan was born in Peace River and has called Alberta home for most of her adult life. With education degrees from the University of Alberta, University of Ottawa, and Newman Theological College, she has dedicated her life to teaching.

So, it’s no surprise she is still teaching, now at TIES (The Immigrant Education Society).

“My first task was Reading Room and now I’m with Drop-in ESL classes,” she says.

TIES’ Drop-in ESL (English as a Second Language) program helps newcomers and Canadians learn how to speak, read, and write in English. A total of 86 volunteers committed 3,640 hours of ESL teaching in fiscal year 2024-25.

Magnan joined the team about 6 years ago, following the death of her husband. She felt alone and wanted to feel joy again. She says she feels “much” more.

“I feel very humbled,” she says.

“ I get (to teach) older people or middle-aged people, and I’m thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, if somebody transported me to Asia or somewhere where I don’t know the language — it would be so daunting.’”

“I think I would just hide in my room and not do anything. But these people are out there trying to learn English, trying to learn the culture. It’s so admirable.”

Speaking of admirable, Magnan is also on the TIES Board of Directors and her “Team Magnan” was a top money-raiser in the TIES fundraiser “Climb for New Beginnings.”

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Ironically, she volunteered them!

“My kids and my grandkids did the climb because I had hurt my knee, and I was just going to leave for India like a month later and I needed to be able to walk properly.”

“So, I decided not to climb, but I coerced my children and grandchildren to do it for me,” she laughs.

Overall, Magnan volunteers eight-to-nine hours a week of her time to various causes. Time well-spent she says, and time she’ll keep on giving — as long as she can.